HR and IR Manager

Role purpose

Lead the HR and industrial relations function for a transport operation with approximately 150 drivers and 100 other staff.

This role requires regular involvement with employees and operational managers, addressing workforce issues as they arise. The successful candidate will combine sound HR administration with the confidence to manage discipline, resolve conflict and guide managers through difficult people decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, selection, onboarding, employment documentation and exits.
• Provide practical HR and industrial relations support to operational management.
• Manage disciplinary processes, grievances, misconduct, absenteeism and employee relations matters.
• Prepare for disciplinary hearings and coordinate CCMA matters, including representation where appropriate and authorised.
• Support performance management, corrective action and termination processes in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Monitor attendance, leave and overtime, ensuring accurate information is supplied for payroll.
• Maintain complete, accurate and confidential employee records.
• Apply HR policies consistently and advise managers on relevant legislation and procedures.
• Coordinate employee communication, training and development.
• Liaise with the applicable bargaining council, benefit providers and external advisers where required.
• Report workforce trends, recurring concerns and proposed corrective measures to management.

Proposed qualifications and experience

• Relevant HR degree or diploma.
• Demonstrated experience across the full HR function, with substantial hands-on industrial relations responsibility.
• Experience supporting a sizeable operational workforce, preferably within transport, logistics or a similarly demanding environment.
• Practical experience with disciplinary hearings, grievances, absenteeism, misconduct and performance management.
• Proven involvement in CCMA proceedings.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant employment legislation and HR policies and procedures.
• Sound recruitment, onboarding, payroll-input and employee administration capability.
• Fluent communication in English and Afrikaans, with Afrikaans proposed as essential for effective engagement with the workforce.
• Strong computer literacy, reporting skills and attention to detail.

Personal suitability

The role will suit an emotionally mature HR professional who remains composed under pressure and can address challenging behaviour without escalating conflict.

The successful candidate must be approachable while maintaining clear boundaries, exercise fair and consistent judgement, and follow through on decisions even when they are unpopular. Confidence, discretion and the ability to earn the respect of drivers, staff and management will be central to success.

Candidates should be comfortable working closely with the operation and responding to daily people issues alongside their planned HR responsibilities.