HR Operations Manager (Contract), Cape Town

About the Role

A Leading Manufacturing Company is seeking a dynamic and experienced HR Operations Manager to join us on a fixed-term contract basis. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, transformative environment. You will play a central role in driving our HR function forward — embedding the Company People's Manual, championing performance culture, and ensuring operational excellence across all HR disciplines.

This contract role offers the chance to make a meaningful and lasting impact during an exciting period of business transformation.

Key Responsibilities

HR Policy & People Manual

• Lead the roll-out and embedding of the Company People's Manual across the organisation
• Develop and deliver training to promote policy compliance and best practice
• Drive HR transformation initiatives and change management programmes

Performance Management

• Implement effective performance management frameworks aligned to business goals
• Coach and mentor managers on objective-setting and team development
• Foster a culture of continuous feedback and data-driven performance evaluation

HR Operations & Systems

• Optimise HR systems, workflows, and processes across the full employee lifecycle
• Ensure compliance with all labour legislation and internal policies
• Collaborate with department heads on workforce planning and headcount management
• Oversee onboarding, induction, and offboarding processes
• Manage payroll operations and lead digital payroll transformation (VIP to PaySpace)

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Champion employee engagement, well-being, and inclusion initiatives
• Address employee relations issues with fairness and consistency
• Act as a trusted HR business partner to senior leadership

Talent, Learning & Compliance

• Develop and manage talent acquisition, retention, and succession strategies
• Oversee L&D programmes, learning needs analysis, and SDF full function (WSP/ATR)
• Drive Employment Equity strategy, planning, and statutory reporting
• Manage BBBEE strategy, audit process, and reporting
• Ensure Occupational Health & Safety compliance across sites
• Manage compensation structures, salary benchmarking, and PIMCA compliance

What You'll Need

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field
• Honours Degree in Strategy or Human Resource Development (advantageous)
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior HR management role
• Solid generalist HR background with specialist IR experience

Knowledge & Skills

• Comprehensive HR knowledge across all SABPP pillars
• Strong IR expertise including discipline, hearings, and CCMA/arbitration proceedings
• Proven strategic planning and analytical capability
• Strong leadership, people management, and coaching skills
• Excellent communication skills in English and Afrikaans
• High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management ability
• Proficiency with HR systems and strong computer literacy
• SHE and ISO knowledge advantageous