Country HR Manager & HR Business Partner – South Africa

About the role

Hitachi Energy is seeking a senior HR professional to lead both country‑wide HR management and business partnering functions in South Africa. The role combines fiduciary HR responsibilities, labor‑relations leadership, and strategic partnership with business units to drive people‑focused outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure all HR policies, practices and processes comply with South African labour legislation, collective bargaining agreements and statutory reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain strong labour‑relations, acting as the primary liaison with unions, works councils and external stakeholder bodies.
• Partner with the global Labor Relations Manager to handle dispute resolution, disciplinary governance and union negotiations.
• Represent Hitachi Energy in cross‑business union negotiations and external forums such as employer associations and university partnerships.
• Develop and implement country‑specific, employee‑friendly HR policies aligned with Employment Equity, BBBEE and other local frameworks.
• Provide strategic HR advice to business leaders on organisational design, workforce planning, change management and cost‑control initiatives.
• Align HR Centres of Excellence, HR Operations and global teams to deliver integrated HR solutions.
• Drive employee engagement, wellbeing programmes and culture‑survey follow‑up actions.

Required profile

• Deep knowledge of South African labour law, collective bargaining and employment equity regulations.
• Proven experience in labour‑relations, union negotiations and dispute resolution.
• Strong strategic advisory capability to senior business leaders.
• Ability to develop compliant HR policies and oversee governance, risk and compliance.
• Experience managing external partnerships with regulatory bodies, talent networks and diversity initiatives.

Required skills