Senior People Specialist: Transpharm & Red Star - Shoprite

The Senior People Specialist plays a crucial role in collaborating with the broader People team and business leaders to ensure effective and efficient operational delivery of People services. To facilitate and manage the relationship between the business and its employees, particularly in the context of collective bargaining, support with negotiations, and compliance with labour laws and regulations.

This position is responsible for managing People practices within the assigned division, which is in the wholesale and distribution industry, aligning with strategic and operational objectives to drive the People agenda. The Senior People Specialist provides valuable input on functional People-related requirements and is essential for maintaining day-to-day operational excellence in business operations, taking operational accountability for achieving People goals within their designated region.

Job Objectives

Employee-Centric Delivery

• Drive operational planning for People functions, integrating with divisional and regional operational plans.
• Execute the Divisional People Roadmap, delivering comprehensive People services and solutions, including resolving industrial relations matters.
• Provide guidance and coaching on People practices, policies, and procedures while managing escalations within the region.
• Stay informed on new developments within the People team to ensure alignment with service offerings.
• Collaborate with the broader People team to facilitate service and solution delivery.
• Lead the implementation of People projects and initiatives, focusing on employee enablement and optimization.
• Oversee sourcing, recruitment, and onboarding in partnership with the Divisional People Partner and Recruitment Consultant, in alignment with People Solutions and Services Teams.
• Oversee talent management processes, including performance management, learning and development, and associated budgeting as designated by the People Partner.
• Analyze People data and trends to diagnose issues and recommend effective solutions in collaboration with the People team.
• Provide advisory services to leadership, aligning change priorities with People and regional objectives.
• Deliver holistic People support throughout the employee lifecycle and ensure workforce management and wellness initiatives promote operational efficiency.

People (Self, Team & Organizational)

• Facilitate People-related activities, operations, and administration to enhance productivity and engagement.
• Manage employee engagement and wellness initiatives within the region.

Financial, Reporting & BI

• Maintain accuracy of People-related data, including , reporting lines, and other relevant attributes.
• Manage the assigned budget and maintain cost control measures as designated by the People Partner.
• Leverage data to drive People-related decision-making, sharing insights and metrics with the region.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to People governance structures, policies, processes, and frameworks.
• Implement governance measures within the region and identify key People risks for mitigation in collaboration with Divisonal People Partner.
• Deliver a regional People Risk Plan.

Future-Fit

• Oversee the implementation of change initiatives to foster adoption and adaptation.
• Promote continuous improvement in regional People processes in partnership with the Divisional People Partner and People Partner.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Human Resources or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Up to 3+ years of experience in a generalist HR role with exposure to various aspects of the HR employee lifecycle.
• Proven experience in dealing with matters related to the LRA, BCEA, and a unionised environment.

Desirable

• Experience within the wholesale, FMCG, retail sector, or a similar environment.