Site Human Resources Manager
Site Human Resources Manager Salary: Competitive and based on experience Location: Cape Town Keywords: Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employee Empowerment, HR Policies, Payroll Administration, Labour Law Compliance, Automotive Industry, Managerial Experience, Bilingual Communication, Career Development
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Site Human Resources Manager to join a leading site in Cape Town. This pivotal role is perfect for someone who thrives on supporting both people and business objectives, ensuring that every aspect of the employee experience is handled with care, professionalism, and attention to detail. As the Site Human Resources Manager, you will be at the heart of implementing group-wide HR policies and tools, while also providing invaluable support to management on all human resources matters. The organisation offers a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence workplace culture, compliance, and employee satisfaction. With a focus on growth and development, this position provides a clear pathway for career progression, including the potential to move into an HR Director role in the near future. Flexible working opportunities and a commitment to professional training make this an ideal setting for those looking to advance their HR career within a global context.
- Play a key role in shaping HR strategy and policy implementation at a major clean mobility site in Cape Town, ensuring alignment with both local regulations and global standards.
- Enjoy significant opportunities for professional growth, with high potential for advancement into senior leadership roles such as HR Director within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.
- Benefit from flexible working arrangements and ongoing training opportunities designed to help you develop your skills and achieve your long-term career goals.
What you'll do:
As Site Human Resources Manager, you will play an instrumental role in creating an inclusive and supportive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered. Your day-to-day activities will involve partnering with site leadership to align HR practices with business needs, managing end-to-end recruitment processes, overseeing onboarding programmes, facilitating ongoing training initiatives, and nurturing career development pathways. You will be responsible for maintaining robust payroll systems that guarantee timely and accurate compensation while ensuring full compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards. A significant part of your remit will include building strong relationships with employee representatives and union officials to foster open communication channels. By implementing both group-level directives and locally tailored policies, you will help shape a culture of excellence across the site. Your ability to report on key HR metrics will provide valuable insights that drive continuous improvement. Success in this role requires a blend of technical knowledge, interpersonal sensitivity, organisational acumen, and a genuine passion for supporting others.
- Support site management by addressing human resources issues in line with overall business objectives, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
- Implement integrated strategies for staffing, recruitment, induction, training, and career management at the site level to ensure seamless talent acquisition and retention.
- Oversee efficient payroll administration processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with both company policies and South African regulatory requirements.
- Guarantee optimal working conditions by upholding Group Health, Safety & Environment policies alongside local legal standards.
- Manage industrial relations by engaging constructively with local employee representatives, unions, and bargaining councils to maintain harmonious workplace relationships.
- Roll out group-wide and country-specific HR policies and processes at the site, including initiatives like Employee Empowerment as part of broader excellence systems.
- Develop new HR policies as needed to address emerging challenges or opportunities within the workforce.
- Report relevant HR information accurately and promptly to divisional leadership to inform strategic decision-making.
- Ensure familiarity with HR audits and proactively address any areas of improvement identified during these reviews.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in all aspects of human resources management.
What you bring:
To excel as Site Human Resources Manager, you will bring proven expertise gained from substantial experience within industrial settings—preferably automotive—where you have managed complex HR functions at both operational and strategic levels. Your educational background should reflect formal training in human resources or related disciplines. You are adept at interpreting labour legislation and applying it practically within fast-evolving environments. Your interpersonal skills enable you to build rapport quickly with colleagues at all levels while handling sensitive matters discreetly. You are comfortable leveraging technology to enhance efficiency across payroll administration and reporting tasks. Experience working internationally or within multicultural teams will serve you well as you navigate group-wide initiatives alongside local priorities. Above all else, your approachability, empathy, reliability, and commitment to ethical practice set you apart as someone who truly cares about making workplaces better for everyone.
- A bachelor’s degree specialising in Human Resources Management or a related field is essential; a master’s degree is preferred for candidates seeking rapid progression.
- At least eight years’ experience in human resources within an industrial environment is required, including five years in managerial or supervisory positions where you have demonstrated your ability to nurture teams.
- Comprehensive understanding of labour law coupled with hands-on experience navigating complex industrial environments ensures you can manage compliance confidently.
- Proficiency in using HR information systems as well as payroll platforms enables you to streamline administrative processes efficiently.
- Experience conducting or participating in HR audits equips you to identify areas for improvement proactively.
- An international mindset allows you to adapt best practices from global contexts while remaining sensitive to local nuances.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills are vital for building trust across diverse stakeholder groups; fluency in English is mandatory while additional languages are highly regarded.
- Demonstrated results orientation through previous achievements in similar roles shows your commitment to delivering tangible outcomes for both employees and the business.
- Familiarity with managing industrial relations—including negotiations with unions or bargaining councils—will be highly advantageous.
- Previous experience within the automotive sector (ideally Tier 1 suppliers) is strongly preferred due to the unique demands of this industry.
What sets this company apart:
This organisation stands out as a global leader committed not only to technological advancement but also to fostering an inclusive culture where every team member’s contribution is recognised. Employees benefit from access to world-class training programmes designed to support ongoing professional development at every stage of their careers. The company places great emphasis on flexibility—offering adaptable working arrangements that respect individual needs while promoting work-life balance. Its reputation for nurturing talent means high performers are regularly considered for internal promotion opportunities; indeed, this particular role offers clear potential for progression into senior leadership positions such as HR Director. The company’s dedication to health, safety, environmental responsibility, and community engagement further enhances its appeal as an employer of choice within the region’s thriving clean mobility sector.
What's next:
If you are ready to take the next step in your human resources career within an inspiring environment that values your expertise and supports your ambitions, this is your chance!
Apply today by clicking on the link provided – don’t miss out on joining a team where your impact truly matters.
About the job
Contract Type: Perm
Specialism: Human Resources
Focus: HR Generalist
Industry: Automotive
Salary: Negotiable
Workplace Type: On-site
Experience Level: Senior Management
Language: English - Bilingual
Location: Cape Town
FULL_TIMEJob Reference: VGAS0N-2649D1FD
Date posted: 3 July 2025
Consultant: Zinzile Dlodlo
cape-town human-resources/hr-generalist 2025-07-03 2025-09-01 automotive Cape Town Western Cape ZA Robert Walters https://www.robertwaltersafrica.com https://www.robertwaltersafrica.com/content/dam/robert-walters/global/images/logos/web-logos/square-logo.png true