Human Resource Manager

Job Description

Company: Pedros
Location: Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Employment Type: Permanent
Division: Distribution Centre
Experience Level: Mid-Senior
Industry: Restaurants
Functional Area: Human Resources
Closing Date: 16 October 2026

Job Description

Pedros is looking for an experienced Human Resource Manager to lead and oversee the HR function across its Distribution Centre network.

This is a senior HR leadership role requiring someone who can partner with senior operational leaders while remaining hands-on in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The successful candidate will help translate business objectives into practical people solutions while overseeing employee relations, labour compliance, workforce planning, talent management and HR service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Business Partnership

• Lead and provide overall HR direction across the Distribution Centre network.
• Partner with DC Heads of Department, managers and supervisors.
• Translate organisational HR strategy into practical HR plans and measurable priorities.
• Advise leadership on workforce requirements, people risks and organisational capability.
• Lead, coach and develop the DC HR team.
• Drive a consistent and professional HR approach across assigned sites.

Workforce Planning & Resourcing

• Lead workforce planning according to operational volumes, growth and shift requirements.
• Monitor permanent and temporary labour requirements.
• Support effective TES utilisation and cost management.
• Partner with Recruitment to fill critical and specialist roles.
• Monitor headcount, vacancies, turnover and labour requirements.
• Support organisational design and workforce optimisation initiatives.

Employee Relations & Labour Risk

• Oversee disciplinary, grievance, incapacity and poor-performance matters.
• Ensure employee relations cases are handled consistently and in accordance with legislation and company policy.
• Support and/or represent the company at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations where required.
• Monitor employee relations trends and implement preventative interventions.
• Identify and manage labour risks.
• Maintain appropriate case documentation and escalation processes.

HR Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, company policies and governance requirements.
• Oversee compliance with the LRA, BCEA, Employment Equity Act, COIDA, Skills Development Act and UIF legislation.
• Oversee Employment Equity, Department of Employment and Labour inspections and IOD administration.
• Ensure HR records, SOPs and employee documentation are maintained.
• Identify HR risks and implement corrective and preventative actions.

Talent, Performance & Organisational Development

• Drive performance management across Distribution Centres.
• Coach managers on performance expectations and employee development.
• Support talent reviews, succession planning, internal mobility and retention.
• Identify capability gaps and work with L&D and operational leaders.
• Strengthen people-management capabilities among DC managers and supervisors.
• Monitor performance reviews, IDPs and talent processes.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Promote company values and a positive, respectful and accountable workplace culture.
• Support employee engagement and communication initiatives.
• Monitor employee morale and workplace concerns.
• Facilitate interventions where required.
• Ensure HR remains visible, accessible and responsive.

HR Operations, Reporting & Projects

• Oversee onboarding, offboarding, employee movements, time and attendance, payroll inputs and benefits administration.
• Ensure accurate and timely HR reporting and workforce analytics.
• Improve HR processes, systems, documentation and reporting.
• Coordinate with Payroll, Finance, Recruitment, L&D and other stakeholders.
• Lead HR projects and change initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with DC leadership, managers and employees.
• Partner with Group HR and Centres of Excellence.
• Engage with CCMA commissioners, bargaining councils, labour representatives, service providers and benefit providers where required.
• Ensure appropriate communication and escalation of material HR matters.

Minimum Requirements

• Matric
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Labour Relations or a related field
• Minimum 8 years’ progressive HR experience, including relevant management-level exposure
• Experience leading or overseeing HR in a multi-site, operational or high-volume environment.
• Strong employee relations and labour relations experience.
• Strong knowledge of South African employment legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, COIDA, SDA and UIF.
• Experience in workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, talent development and HR governance.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing HR team members.
• Experience working with Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers.
• Proven ability to partner with senior operational stakeholders and translate business requirements into practical HR solutions.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in HR Management, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology or a related field.
• Relevant HR/labour relations professional certification or membership.
• Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, logistics, distribution or QSR.
• Experience working across multiple sites/DCs.
• Exposure to HRIS, reporting and dashboard tools.