Head Of People & Culture

About the role

The client, a leading logistics and maritime solutions provider in Durban, is seeking a Head of People & Culture to lead its established HR function. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role will shape people strategy, drive organisational effectiveness and support business growth across multiple locations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the people strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Act as trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team.
• Lead organisational design, workforce planning and succession planning initiatives.
• Manage employee and industrial relations, including investigations, disciplinary processes and dispute resolution.
• Support transformation, restructuring and change programmes.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and retention strategies.
• Drive performance management and leadership development programmes.
• Identify capability gaps and implement learning and development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, Employment Equity, BEE and company policies.
• Oversee payroll operations and statutory compliance.
• Manage people metrics, reporting and workforce analytics.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the executive team based on people data and trends.

Required profile

• BCom in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology or related discipline (post‑graduate qualification preferred).
• Proven experience leading a people and culture or HR function in a medium to large organisation.
• Strong employee and industrial relations background.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership teams.
• Track record of leading organisational design, succession planning and talent management.
• Experience managing HR teams and developing leadership capability.
• In‑depth knowledge of South African employment legislation, Employment Equity and BEE requirements.
• Experience overseeing payroll and statutory compliance.
• Ability to drive change, transformation and business improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to logistics, maritime, transport or supply‑chain environments is advantageous.

Required skills