HR Operations Manager (Contract)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
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