Human Resource Manager (Distribution Centre)

Job Description

• We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead and oversee the HR function across our Distribution Centre network.
• This is a senior HR leadership role suited to an individual who is equally comfortable partnering with senior operational leaders and being hands-on in a fast-paced, high-volume operational environment.
• The successful candidate will play a key role in translating business objectives into practical people solutions, while ensuring strong employee relations, labour compliance, workforce planning, talent management and HR service delivery.
• We are looking for someone with a strong operational HR and employee relations background, who understands the demands of a shift-based DC environment and can confidently manage complex people and labour matters.
• The ideal individual will have the ability to build credibility with DC leadership, coach and develop HR teams, identify people-related risks and implement solutions that support both employees and business performance.

Duties and Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Business Partnership

• Lead and provide overall HR direction across the Distribution Centre network.
• Partner with DC Heads of Department, managers and supervisors to align people strategies with operational requirements.
• Translate organisational HR strategy into practical HR plans and measurable priorities.
• Advise operational leadership on workforce requirements, people risks, organisational capability and employee-related decisions.
• Lead, coach and develop the DC HR team and ensure effective service delivery.
• Drive a consistent and professional HR approach across all assigned sites.

Workforce Planning & Resourcing

• Lead workforce planning in line with operational volumes, growth, shift requirements and business needs.
• Monitor permanent and temporary labour requirements and support effective TES utilisation and cost management.
• Partner with Recruitment and operational stakeholders to ensure timely recruitment for critical and specialist roles.
• Monitor headcount, vacancies, turnover and labour requirements.
• Support organisational design and workforce optimisation initiatives.

Employee Relations & Labour Risk

• Provide guidance and oversight on disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, poor performance and other employee relations matters.
• Ensure ER cases are managed consistently, fairly, timeously and in accordance with legislation and company policy.
• Support and/or represent the company at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations where required.
• Monitor employee relations trends and implement preventative interventions.
• Identify and manage labour risks, including potential work stoppages and collective employee action.
• Ensure appropriate case documentation, governance and escalation of material risks.

HR Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable employment legislation, company policies and governance requirements.
• Oversee compliance relating to the LRA, BCEA, Employment Equity Act, COIDA, Skills Development Act and UIF legislation.
• Provide oversight of Employment Equity, Department of Employment and Labour inspections, IOD administration and related compliance activities.
• Ensure HR records, SOPs, employee documentation and processes are consistently maintained.
• Identify HR risks and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and ethical standards when dealing with employee information.

Talent, Performance & Organisational Development

• Drive effective performance management across the Distribution Centres.
• Coach managers on performance expectations, performance improvement and employee development.
• Support talent reviews, succession planning, internal mobility and retention initiatives.
• Identify capability gaps and partner with L&D and operational leaders to address development needs.
• Strengthen the people-management capability of DC managers and supervisors.
• Monitor completion and quality of performance reviews, IDPs and talent processes.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Promote company values and a positive, respectful and accountable workplace culture.
• Support employee engagement, communication and employee experience initiatives.
• Monitor employee morale, workplace concerns and engagement trends.
• Facilitate appropriate interventions where cultural or employee experience concerns are identified.
• Ensure HR remains visible, accessible and responsive to employees and operational management.

HR Operations, Reporting & Projects

• Oversee core HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, employee movements, time and attendance, payroll inputs and benefits administration.
• Ensure accurate and timely HR reporting, dashboards and workforce analytics.
• Drive improvements in HR processes, documentation, systems and reporting.
• Coordinate effectively with Payroll, Finance, Recruitment, L&D and other stakeholders.
• Lead and oversee HR projects and change initiatives.
• Monitor project outcomes and provide reporting and insights to leadership.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with DC leadership, operational managers and employees.
• Partner with Group HR and Centres of Excellence including Recruitment, ER, L&D and Training.
• Engage with external stakeholders including CCMA commissioners, bargaining councils, labour representatives, service providers and benefit providers where required.
• Ensure clear communication and appropriate escalation of material HR matters.

Requirements

• Matric
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Labour Relations or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years' progressive HR experience, including relevant management-level exposure.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing HR in a multi-site, operational or high-volume environment.
• Strong employee relations and labour relations experience, including disciplinary processes, grievances, incapacity, poor performance and CCMA matters.
• Strong knowledge of South African employment legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, COIDA, SDA and UIF.
• Experience in workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, talent development and HR governance.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing HR team members.
• Experience working with Temporary Employment Services TES providers and managing labour utilisation and cost considerations.
• Proven ability to partner with senior operational stakeholders and translate business requirements into practical HR solutions.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in HR Management, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology or a related field.
• Relevant HR/labour relations professional certification or membership.
• Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, logistics, distribution or QSR.
• Experience working across multiple sites/DCs.
• Exposure to HRIS, reporting and dashboard tools.
• The role requires someone who can operate across multiple Distribution Centres and travel between sites when required.

Closing Date 16 October 2026