Reporting Manager – Head of People

Location: Johannesburg (Primary Location), Gauteng

About the Libstar Wet Condiments Category

The Wet Condiments Category forms part of Libstar’s Ambient Products Division, with manufacturing operations across Johannesburg, Cape Town and Montagu.

Our success is built on the strength of our people. We are committed to creating a high-performance culture where our employees are supported, developed and empowered to deliver exceptional results. We believe in building trusted relationships, partnering with our leaders and creating workplaces where people and business can thrive together.

We are looking for an experienced People Manager to lead the HR function for our Johannesburg operations. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational execution and is passionate about building strong partnerships with business leaders in a unionised manufacturing environment.

Purpose of the Role

This role is suited to a hands-on People Manager who enjoys being actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business while contributing strategically to organisational success.

As a trusted partner to the business, you will work closely with operational leaders to provide practical, commercially focused HR solutions that support business objectives while creating a positive employee experience.

A significant focus of this role is Industrial Relations. You will be responsible for building constructive relationships with recognised trade unions and shop stewards, coaching managers through employee relations matters, leading complex disciplinary and grievance processes, representing the Company at the CCMA and ensuring employment practices remain legally compliant and commercially sound. Success in this role will be built on your ability to establish credibility and trust with employees, line managers and senior leadership alike. We are looking for someone who enjoys working with people, is highly visible within the business, and can confidently influence outcomes through collaboration, sound judgement and strong leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering

• Partner with business leaders and line managers to develop people solutions that support operational and strategic business objectives.
• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation through a collaborative and solutions-focusedapproach.
• Coach, support and develop managers in all aspects of people leadership, including performance management,employee relations, leadership capability and organisational effectiveness.
• Provide practical HR advice that balances employee wellbeing with operational and commercial requirements.
• Support organisational change initiatives and workforce planning.

Industrial Relations & Employee Relations

• Lead all Industrial Relations activities across the Johannesburg operations.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with recognised trade unions, shop stewards and employee representatives.
• Coach managers in managing employee relations matters confidently, consistently and fairly.
• Personally manage complex disciplinary, grievance, incapacity and operational requirements processes from initiation through to conclusion.
• Represent the Company at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations.
• Lead wage negotiations and collective bargaining processes in partnership with operational leadership.
• Identify potential employee relations risks and implement proactive solutions that minimise organisational risk and business disruption.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable labour legislation and Company policies.

Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the HR team to deliver professional, responsive and value-adding HR services.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Build capability within the HR team through coaching, mentoring and ongoing development.
• Lead by example and promote the Company’s values across the business.

Talent & Organisational Development

• Manage end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Drive performance management and talent development initiatives.
• Coordinate learnerships, internships and skills development programmes.
• Support succession planning and leadership development.
• Partner with managers to build high-performing teams.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Promote a positive, inclusive and engaged workplace culture.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives that strengthen organisational performance.
• Support leaders in creating safe, respectful and high-performing workplaces.
• Champion ethical leadership and the Company’s values.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, Company policies and HR best practice.
• Lead Employment Equity, Skills Development and BBBEE initiatives.
• Prepare and submit statutory and internal HR reports, including Employment Equity, WSP/ATR, BBBEE, WRSETAand management reporting.
• Maintain HR systems, policies and governance processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR service delivery and operational effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or a related field.
• Minimum five years’ HR Generalist experience within a manufacturing, FMCG or similar operational environment.
• Minimum three years’ experience in an HR Management or Business Partner role.
• Extensive Industrial Relations experience within a unionised environment.
• Proven experience representing employers at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations.
• Experience working with recognised trade unions, shop stewards and collective bargaining processes.
• Sound knowledge of the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act and Skills Development Act.
• Experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Experience working with SAGE People or a similar HR Information System will be advantageous.
• Valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to Cape Town for business and team meetings.

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with managers, employees and union representatives.
• Be highly visible, approachable and engaged within the business.
• Demonstrate exceptional Industrial Relations knowledge and confidently manage complex employee relations matters.
• Have proven experience representing employers at the CCMA.
• Coach and develop managers to become capable and confident people leaders.
• Think strategically while remaining practical, hands-on and operational.
• Demonstrate sound judgement, resilience and professionalism.
• Balance business needs with people-focused solutions.
• Lead with integrity, accountability and authenticity.
• Be passionate about developing people and creating a positive workplace culture.

Key Competencies

• Business Partnering
• Industrial Relations
• CCMA Representation
• Labour Law
• Leadership & Coaching
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Union Engagement
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Organisational Development
• Change Management
• Planning & Organising
• Communication & Influencing
• Commercial Awareness
• Decision Making
• Team Leadership

Measures of Success

• Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
• Building trusted partnerships with business leaders and line managers.
• Maintaining positive and constructive relationships with unions and employee representatives.
• Effectively managing Industrial Relations matters while minimising organisational risk.
• Successfully representing the Company at the CCMA.
• Developing a high-performing People team.
• Improving leadership capability across the business through coaching and support.
• Delivering accurate statutory compliance and HR reporting.
• Creating a positive, engaged and high-performing workplace culture.

Application

Please submit your CV together with a motivation outlining why you believe you are the ideal candidate for this position to: aneesa.claronino@libstar.co.za
Closing Date: 17 August 2026
If you have not received a response within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Protection of Personal Information (POPIA)

To consider your application, the Company will process your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA). By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes.