iLembe: Senior HR Officer

Key Responsibilities: Recruitment & Staffing Manage end-to-end recruitment for company staff at branches. Develop job profiles for different branch roles. Implement strategies to attract, recruit, and retain high-quality staff in a high-turnover industry. Coordinate onboarding and orientation for new hires. Employee Relations & Labour Law Compliance Ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), Labour Relations Act (LRA), and sector-specific bargaining council agreements if applicable. Manage disciplinary hearings, grievances, and CCMA cases. Provide guidance to managers on employee relations and conflict resolution. Maintain fair and consistent application of HR policies across branches. HR Administration & Compliance Maintain accurate HR records, contracts, and personnel files. Ensure compliance with the Employment Equity Act (EEA), including reporting and EE plan submissions. Oversee Skills Development Act compliance, including WSP/ATR submissions to the relevant SETA. Manage leave, attendance, and overtime records in line with BCEA requirements. Training & Development Identify training needs across branches and coordinate staff training (customer service, food safety, compliance, supervisory skills). Partner with SETA-accredited training providers to facilitate learnerships and skills programmes. Monitor and evaluate training effectiveness to improve service standards. Performance Management & Engagement Drive performance review processes for managers and staff. Support career development pathways for supervisors and managers. Drive employee engagement initiatives to improve staff morale and reduce turnover. Provide support for recognition and reward programs. Payroll & Benefits Support Work with finance/payroll to ensure accurate wage inputs Oversee employee benefits administration Ensure compliance with statutory deductions (PAYE, UIF, SDL). Strategic HR Support Analyse HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, recruitment lead times, labour costs) and provide insights to management. Support change management initiatives within the group. Contribute to HR strategy that aligns with operational and business growth objectives. Key Requirements Bachelors degree / Diploma in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or related field. 5 years HR generalist experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory/officer role. Prior HR experience in hospitality, retail, or FMCG industries is highly desirable. Strong exposure to high-volume recruitment and employee relations in shift-based work environments. In-depth knowledge of South African labour legislation (BCEA, LRA, EEA, Skills Development, OHSA). Ability to manage multiple branches and stakeholders. Strong conflict management and negotiation skills (including CCMA preparation). Proficiency in HRIS and MS Office Suite. Personal Attributes Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to connect with staff at all levels. Approachable and solution oriented. High attention to detail with strong organisational skills. Resilient, adaptable, and able to work under pressure in a fast-paced restaurant environment. Able to travel in and around KZN to branches as needed.