People & Culture Business Partner- SMEC x1
Position Overview
- Position: People & Culture Business Partner
- Company: SMEC
- Location: Bloemfontein
- Division: People & Culture (Human Resources)
- Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Purpose
The People & Culture Business Partner (HR Business Partner) is responsible for delivering strategic and operational human resources support aligned with business objectives. The role serves as a trusted advisor to management, ensuring effective people management practices, employee engagement, talent acquisition, workforce planning, performance management, compliance, and organisational development.
This position requires a proactive HR professional who can partner with business leaders to drive organisational performance while ensuring compliance with employment legislation and HR best practices.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic HR Partnership
- Understand and implement the regional HR strategy.
- Align HR initiatives with business goals and operational priorities.
- Support management teams with workforce planning and organisational effectiveness.
- Contribute to business growth through people-focused strategies.
2. Talent Acquisition and Onboarding
- Manage end-to-end recruitment processes.
- Partner with hiring managers to identify staffing requirements.
- Coordinate recruitment through HR Shared Services.
- Ensure efficient onboarding and integration of new employees.
- Support talent attraction and retention initiatives.
3. Employee Relations
- Provide HR advice and guidance to managers and employees.
- Manage employee relations matters.
- Handle disciplinary and grievance processes.
- Ensure fair and legally compliant decision-making.
- Promote a positive workplace culture and employee experience.
4. Performance Management and Compensation
- Drive annual performance review processes.
- Support implementation of compensation and reward programmes.
- Assist managers with employee performance improvement initiatives.
- Monitor staff utilisation and workforce productivity.
5. Employee Engagement and Wellness
- Lead employee engagement initiatives.
- Coordinate employee wellness programmes.
- Support activities that improve employee morale and workplace satisfaction.
- Promote a culture of inclusion, diversity, and belonging.
6. Learning and Development
- Support training and development programmes.
- Coordinate mentoring initiatives.
- Monitor employee development plans.
- Assist with leadership and succession development initiatives.
7. HR Administration and Compliance
- Ensure HR policies and procedures comply with labour legislation.
- Maintain employee records and organisational charts.
- Manage leave administration processes.
- Support payroll-related activities.
- Monitor compliance with internal HR standards and service-level agreements.
8. HR Reporting and Analytics
- Analyse and present HR metrics and trends.
- Prepare reports for management meetings.
- Provide workforce insights to support business decisions.
- Contribute to Employment Equity reporting and workforce transformation initiatives.
9. Leadership and Team Management
- Supervise direct reports where applicable.
- Allocate and monitor team responsibilities.
- Conduct performance management discussions.
- Promote continuous improvement within the HR function.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or equivalent qualification.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of Human Resources experience.
- Experience as an HR Generalist or HR Business Partner.
- Experience supporting managers and business leaders.
- Experience in employee relations, recruitment, performance management, and HR operations.
Technical Skills
- Strong Microsoft Office proficiency.
- Project Management experience.
- HR Information Systems exposure.
- HR reporting and analytics capabilities.
Essential Competencies
Human Resources Expertise
- Talent Acquisition
- Employee Relations
- Performance Management
- Workforce Planning
- Compensation and Benefits
- Learning and Development
- Employment Equity
- Labour Law Compliance
Leadership Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Influencing and Coaching
- Stakeholder Management
- Change Management
- Team Leadership
Personal Attributes
- High attention to detail
- Initiative and accountability
- Strong communication skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Relationship-building capability
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively