Employee Relations Manager

About the role

The Employee Relations Manager will provide expert labour‑relations advice to managers, supervisors and employees across the Gauteng region. The role supports the vision and mission of the Labour Relations department by ensuring compliance, mitigating risk and enhancing departmental visibility.

Key responsibilities

• Advise business units on best practices and applicable labour legislation.
• Interpret, update and implement organisational policies, procedures and agreements.
• Prepare risk‑mitigating solutions, management reports and benchmarking statistics.
• Research legislative changes, assess financial implications and devise compliant solutions.
• Maintain current knowledge of employee‑relations tools and best practices.
• Provide day‑to‑day HR/IR advice to managers, directors and staff while maintaining confidentiality.
• Chair disciplinary hearings and represent the company at CCMA conciliations, arbitrations and related processes.
• Handle internal grievances, capacity investigations and retrenchment procedures.
• Draft and review recognition, wage and union agreements.
• Develop and deliver training courses on industrial relations for staff at all levels.
• Prepare for Department of Labour inspections and manage related litigation.
• Formulate HR policies, draft correspondence to the Department of Labour and produce statistical reports.

Required profile

• Grade 12 / Matric qualification.
• Formal qualification in Human Resources Management.
• 3–5 years experience as an Employee Relations Generalist.
• Post‑graduate qualification in HRM, Labour Relations or Industrial Psychology (advantageous).
• Experience in the retail or FMCG sector (advantageous).

Required skills