Labour Relations Manager jobs in Gauteng

Job Specification (not totally inclusive)

• Develop and implement an employee relations strategy aligned with the company’s business and people priorities;
• Advise the HR Director, executive leadership and line management on complex employee and labour relations matters;
• Identify emerging employee relations risks and implement proactive measures to maintain workplace stability;
• Develop employee relations dashboards, trend analyses and risk reports to support management decision-making;
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with trade unions, and employee representatives;
• Lead or support collective bargaining, wage negotiations and the negotiation of collective and procedural agreements;
• Coordinate formal consultation forums and ensure that agreed actions are documented and implemented;
• Facilitate the effective resolution of workplace disputes, grievances and areas of disagreement;
• Provide specialist guidance on discipline, incapacity, absenteeism, misconduct and poor performance;
• Oversee complex and high-risk employee relations cases to ensure fairness, consistency and legal compliance;
• Represent the company at the CCMA, bargaining councils and other dispute-resolution forums;
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation, collective agreements, company policies and employee relations procedures;
• Review and maintain disciplinary codes, grievance procedures, recognition agreements and related governance frameworks; and
• Strengthen management and HR capability through coaching, training and practical tools that promote trust, accountability, engagement and labour stability.

Minimum Skills required.

• A relevant bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Labour Law or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in Industrial Relations, Labour Law or a related field will be advantageous;
• At least 8 Employee Relations experience preferable within Manufacturing/Engineering environment of which 3 years must have been working as the Employee Relations Manager;
• Substantial experience in a unionized industrial, manufacturing, engineering or mining environment and demonstrated experience in collective bargaining, union engagement and dispute resolution;
• Strong practical knowledge of South African employment legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and Employment Equity Act;
• Proven experience managing disciplinary proceedings, grievances, CCMA or bargaining-council matters and operational-requirements consultations;
• Experience advising senior managers and operational leaders on complex and sensitive employee relations matters; and
• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel to company operations and customer sites.

Behavioral Competencies required.

• Strategic thinking and business acumen, anticipates employee relations risks and aligns solutions with business and people priorities;
• Integrity and sound judgement , handles sensitive matters fairly, ethically and consistently while making balanced, legally sound decisions;
• Influencing and negotiation, builds consensus and secures sustainable outcomes with leadership, managers, trade unions and employee representatives;
• Conflict resolution and resilience, remains composed under pressure and facilitates constructive resolution of complex disputes and workplace challenges; and
• Relationship building and communication, establishes trust, listens objectively and communicates clearly with diverse stakeholders across the organisation.