Human Capital Manager

The Human Capital Manager will lead and manage the full spectrum of HR functions within a unionized textile manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will play a strategic and operational role in fostering positive labour relations, ensuring compliance, and supporting business objectives through effective people management.

Duties and Responsibilities, include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage all Human Capital and Industrial Relations functions within a manufacturing and unionized environment.

• Maintain constructive engagement with trade unions and shop stewards.

• Lead collective bargaining processes and wage negotiations.

• Advise management on labour legislation, disciplinary processes, and grievance handling.

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, training initiatives, and workforce planning for production and support functions.  

• Drive performance management and employee development initiatives. 

• Ensure compliance with labour laws, company policies, and bargaining council agreements.

• Manage disciplinary hearings, incapacity processes, and CCMA/Bargaining Council cases.

• Promote employee engagement and workplace culture aligned with operational excellence.

• Ensure Employment Equity, BEE, WSP/ATR, and Skills Development compliance and reporting.

• Oversee HR administration, audits, payroll input coordination, leave management, time and attendance alignment, and reporting.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong Labour Law and Industrial Relations expertise

• CCMA and bargaining council representation experience

• Excellent conflict management and negotiation skills

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and decision-making ability

• High level of confidentiality, integrity, and ethical awareness

• Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills

• Resilience and ability to work in a fast-paced environment Behavioural Aspects Required

• Demonstrates ethical conduct at all times and handles sensitive employee and business information with discretion.

• Displays empathy, self-awareness, and emotional control when dealing with employee relations, conflict, and disciplinary matters.

• Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally with employees, unions, management, and external stakeholders.

• Manages conflict objectively, resolves disputes effectively, and negotiates outcomes that are fair, compliant, and sustainable.

• Makes consistent, informed, and legally sound decisions, particularly in disciplinary, grievance, and employee relations matters.

• Remains calm and decisive in high-pressure disciplinary, grievance, and dispute situations.

• Makes sound, compliant decisions and takes ownership of outcomes.