HR Officer – Grain Field Chickens Abattoir
- Company: Grain Field Chickens (a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd)
- Location: Reitz, Free State
- Department: Other
- Posted: 3 August 2026
- Closing Date: 10 August 2026
Job Purpose
The HR Officer is responsible for providing Human Resources and Industrial Relations (IR) support to the abattoir. The role focuses on employee relations, disciplinary processes, labour law compliance, workforce planning, absenteeism management, HR administration, and maintaining positive relationships between management and trade unions.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 (NQF Level 4)
- Diploma or Degree in Human Resources Management or Social Sciences (Industrial Relations)
- Minimum 5 years’ Industrial Relations experience in FMCG, Manufacturing, Agriculture, or Poultry
- Experience in a highly unionised environment
- Knowledge of HR Information Systems
- Strong understanding of:
- Labour Relations Act (LRA)
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
- Employment Equity Act (EEA)
- Skills Development Act (SDA)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Willingness to work in a cold, wet production environment and work overtime when required
Key Responsibilities
Industrial Relations
- Manage disciplinary hearings and grievance procedures
- Advise management on labour legislation
- Handle absenteeism and AWOL cases
- Support CCMA and Bargaining Council matters
- Build and maintain union relationships
- Coordinate shop steward meetings
- Draft and review HR policies and SOPs
- Conduct HR and IR training
- Investigate employee relations matters
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation
- Prepare weekly and monthly IR reports
Human Resources
- Assist with HR planning and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support employee wellness programmes
- Assist with succession planning
- Review job descriptions and KPIs
- Support performance improvement processes
- Maintain accurate employee records
- Assist with payroll-related IR matters
- Provide general HR administration
Reporting Responsibilities
Prepare and maintain:
- Weekly IR Reports
- AWOL Reports
- Payroll Queries
- Sick Leave Reports
- Stop Salary Reports
- Termination Reports
- HR Statistics
- Key Performance Reports
- HR system records
Required Skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- HR Administration
- Industrial Relations
- Labour Law
- Employee Relations
- CCMA processes
- Conflict resolution
- Negotiation
- Report writing
- Communication
- Planning and organisation
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Ability to work under pressure
- Strong interpersonal skills
Preferred Qualifications/Advantages
- Experience in the poultry industry
- Ability to speak Southern Sotho
- Driver’s licence and own transport
- Previous HR Officer experience
Working Environment
- Corporate HR role based at a poultry abattoir
- Frequent interaction with production employees on the factory floor
- Cold and wet working conditions when entering the plant
- Overtime and Saturday work may be required
This is a senior HR Officer role with a strong emphasis on Industrial Relations, labour law compliance, union engagement, and employee relations within a manufacturing/agricultural environment.