Employee Relations Specialist

Job Overview

Job Description

Purpose of the Role:

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist will serve as the primary subject matter expert on all employee and industrial relations matters across the organisation. This is a critical, high-impact role responsible for ensuring sound labour practices, legal compliance, and the maintenance of constructive relationships between the organisation, its employees, and organised labour. The successful candidate will operate with a high degree of autonomy and be expected to provide strategic ER guidance to senior leadership and HR Business Partners alike.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee & Industrial Relations
- Manage the full spectrum of ER matters including disciplinary hearings, grievance procedures, incapacity processes, and appeals
- Serve as the primary point of contact and representative for all CCMA and Bargaining Council matters, including conciliation and arbitration proceedings
- Lead and manage retrenchment and restructuring processes in line with Section 189 and Section 189A of the Labour Relations Act
- Manage and facilitate strike contingency planning, strike management, and post-strike normalisation processes
- Oversee and manage relationships with recognised trade unions, including shop steward engagement and union consultation forums

Collective Bargaining and Negotiations
- Lead or participate in wage and collective bargaining negotiations with organised labour
- Draft, review, and manage collective agreements, recognition agreements, and procedural agreements
- Monitor compliance with collective agreements across all operational sites

Policy, Compliance and Governance
- Develop, review, and implement ER and HR policies and procedures in line with current South African labour legislation
- Ensure full organisational compliance with the Labour Relations Act (LRA), Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Employment Equity Act (EEA), Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), and other relevant legislation
- Monitor changes in labour legislation and proactively advise the business on implications and required adjustments
- Prepare and submit Employment Equity reports and support the organisation's transformation agenda

Advisory and Stakeholder Management
- Provide expert ER advice and coaching to line managers, supervisors, and HR Business Partners on ER procedures, best practices, and risk mitigation
- Partner with senior leadership to proactively identify and address potential ER risks before they escalate
- Conduct ER training and awareness sessions for managers across the business
- Compile and present ER metrics, case statistics, and trend analysis reports to HR leadership and EXCO

Site and Operational ER Support
- Provide ER support across multiple operational sites where applicable
- Liaise with site managers and operational leadership to ensure consistent application of ER practices across the business
- Navigate the unique ER dynamics of a unionised, shift-based mining and manufacturing environment

Knowledge and Experience:

- At least 8 years' experience in a dedicated Employee Relations or Industrial Relations role
- Proven, hands-on experience representing employers at the CCMA and/or Bargaining Council
- Demonstrated experience managing complex disciplinary, grievance, and incapacity cases independently
- Experience managing Section 189 retrenchment processes (is a MUST)
- Experience working in the Mining, Chemical Manufacturing, or Heavy industry sector (non negotiable)
- Experience in a unionised environment with a track record of constructive union engagement
- In-depth knowledge of South African labour legislation: LRA, BCEA, EEA, SDA, OHSA, and the Mine Health and Safety Act
- Strong understanding of Collective Bargaining Processes and Agreements
- Proficiency in HR Information Systems and ER Case Management tools
- Solid understanding of Employment Equity requirements and reporting obligations

Educational Qualifications & Professional Registration:
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Labour Law, or a related field
- Postgraduate qualification in Labour Law or HR Management
- CCMA accreditation or relevant mediation certification (advantageous)

Skills and Attributes:

- Competency
- Conflict Resolution
- Emotional Intelligence
- Assertiveness
- Impartiality
- Communication
- Analytical Thinking
- Resilience
- Discretion