Introduction

Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (PTY)Ltd, is a dynamic role player in the integrated broiler industry with an abattoir in Reitz in the North Eastern Free State. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional, corporate environment in the countryside.

Job Description

The incumbent will be responsible for providing expertise and support and perform employee relations activities which will include - but not limited to - Industrial Relations, workforce planning, AWOL and absenteeism management in order to increase plant quality and turnaround time, in alignment with predefined work objectives (as per agreed standard operating procedures).

Job requirements

• Grade 12 or NQF Level 4 Equivalent.
• Diploma or Degree in Human Resources Management, or Social Sciences majoring in Industrial Relations.
• Strong demonstratable IR background of at least 5 years gained within the FMCG / Manufacturing/ Agriculture environment (particularly in Poultry), essential.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a similar role will be an advantage.
• Exposure to work within a highly unionized environment.
• A proven track record in ER capacity building and union/ management relationship maintenance is a requirement.
• Proven knowledge of HR information systems is essential.
• Solid, proven and applied understanding of the LRA and BCEA.
• Ability to understand and speak the vernacular used in the Eastern Free State (Southern Sotho) will be a definite advantage.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• A willingness to enter the plant (cold and wet environment) on a regular basis, to address a large number of employees on the floor.
• A driver’s license and own transport will be an advantage.
• A willingness to work overtime, incl. Saturdays, when required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Industrial Relations (IR)

• Facilitate end-to-end disciplinary processes in liaison with line management.
• Advise and provide support to all Stakeholders in terms of industrial and labour legislation - ensuring effective service delivery.
• Provide effective and efficient IR advice, support & administration within set guidelines and deadlines.
• Where required, offer support to the Group Legal Advisor at the Bargaining Council/ CCMA with respect to GFC cases.
• Together with the HR Manager, ensure the appropriate management of all employee relations issues including grievances, poor performance and disciplinary action.
• Assist the HR Manager with monitoring AWOL, absenteeism levels, grievances levels, disciplinary processes, employee well-being matters and the development of suitable initiatives and solutions.
• Maintain and establish healthy relationships between trade unions and management.
• Assist the HR Manager with coordinating the monthly shop stewards’ meetings.
• Ensure accurate and timely minutes are kept of all meetings, minutes distributed timeously, and outstanding items/ items raised and followed up on time.
• Ensure strict adherence to the LRA, BCEA and organizational standards, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all stakeholders and customers are well informed at all times and to establish a free flow of information.
• Ensure all HR practices are fair, consistent and executed within the boundaries of relevant HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure high level of accuracy and integrity of HR information thereby ensuring that ethical work, professionalism and leadership behavior is demonstrated.
• Deliver on IR projects such as conducting IR/ HR training to line managers, junior employees and other relevant stakeholders on a quarterly basis.
• Conduct regular engagement with employees to explain company policies and procedures, address issues timely and report to management all unresolved ones.
• Where requested to do so by the HR Manager, assist with surveys and research on workers’ remuneration, labor negotiations, HR policies and procedures, employee retention schemes and make recommendations to management.
• Liaise with Payroll Specialist to coordinate and prepare IR-related payroll information for month-end.
• Draft and review SOPS, policies and procedures as directed by the HR Manager.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees’ IR-related issues and ensure these are resolved timeously and satisfactorily.
• Ensure that proper records are kept including resolved IR queries including the type of resolution/ feedback given.
• Monitor compliance to applicable labour legislation by doing dip stick checks through surveys/ questionnaires.
• Before the beginning of each financial year, draw up an IR Year Plan and obtain sign-off from the HR Manager.Report all non-compliance to the HR Manager to ensure corrective action is taken.
• Participate in and drive Key 10 as part of the company’s 20 Keys Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Collate and submit IR Reports on a weekly/ monthly basis.
• Support the identification and development of processes to optimize cost efficiency (responsible use of telephone/ printing).

Human Resources

• Contribute and assist with drafting and executing the GFC Annual HR Plan.
• Contribute and assist the onsite clinic with drawing up and driving the GFC Annual Wellness Program.
• Assist with the development of HR SOPs, procedures, work processes/ process flows and other abattoir-specific processes.
• Assist with the drafting and review of Job Descriptions.
• Assist with drafting new KPIs and reviewing exiting ones.
• Assist with SLAs between HR and the various internal departments.
• Assist with the periodic staff EOS and actioning thereof in conjunction with the plant engineer.
• Assist with ensuring the Succession Planning Program is kept live and current in all departments.
• Assist with PIP with respect to poor performance management.
• Together with the systems administrator, ensure that the plant authorized Manload is kept up to date accurately at all times.
• Ensure accurate records are kept in line with company policy.
• Ensure all internal & external visitors to the HR Office are handled in a professional, welcoming and friendly manner.

Reports

• Complete all documentation accurately and in full - Range: Documents/ Reports include, but are not limited to:
  1. AWOL Report
  2. Key 10 Survey
  3. Payroll Queries & Unpaids (Graphs)
  4. 50% Sick Leave
  5. Stop Salary
  6. Terminations List
  7. IR Report
  8. Bestuurstate Graphs
• Complete and/ or update the prescribed reports and/ or documentation manually and/ or on the relevant HR computer system.
• Capture and keep accurate employee data in the relevant HR system and perform general HR Administration duties.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by line management.

Skills Required

• Microsoft Office with strong Excel skills at an advanced level.
• High level of attention to detail with excellent time management, planning, coordinating and prioritizing skills.
• Excellent negotiation, liaison and administrative skills.
• Practical knowledge in a generalist HR environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure, within set guidelines and adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent telephonic, verbal and written communication skills across all levels within the organization.
• Independent, self-motivated, proactive thinking, ability to do own job planning and function independently.
• High level of multi-skilling, flexibility and ability to work as part of a team.
• Results driven with high customer focus and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Practical knowledge of applicable labour legislation and compliance environment including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, LRA, Employment Equity Act, Skills Development Act & Skills Development Levies Act.
• Practical knowledge of CCMA processes with proven track record.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Committed, motivated and able to achieve tasks in required time frame.
• Able to prioritize important matters and act on them accordingly.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact with all internal and external role players in a respectful, helpful and professional manner.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to record, analyse and report information (verbal and written).
• Ability to work independently when the role requires.
• Assertiveness, conflict handling and problem-solving skills.
• Decision making.
• Planning.

The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion. Should you do not hear from us within one month of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Correspondence will only be limited to short listed candidates.