Our client is hiring a Head of Human Resources to lead strategic, people-first initiatives that drive business success. Based 45 minutes outside Paarl, Western Cape, the role oversees HR for the corporate workforce—partnering with leadership to shape HR strategy, boost engagement, ensure compliance, and foster a culture of innovation, well-being, and strong employer branding.

A leading international food manufacturing company is seeking a Head of Human Resources to provide strategic direction and leadership across all HR functions in their Western Cape operations. This pivotal senior role offers you the chance to shape the future of HR, drive high-impact initiatives, and foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and employee wellbeing. As the Head of Human Resources, you will be instrumental in aligning people strategies with business objectives, supporting organisational growth, and ensuring compliance within a dynamic manufacturing environment. You will have the opportunity to influence every aspect of the employee lifecycle, from talent acquisition to succession planning, while working closely with executive leadership to deliver on ambitious goals. The organisation values collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement, offering access to global resources and networks that support your career progression. If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference through people-focused leadership and thrive in a supportive yet challenging environment, this is your opportunity to take your career to new heights.

• Shape and execute comprehensive HR strategies that directly impact business success and employee experience across all departments, ensuring alignment with global directives and local needs.
• Lead a talented HR team in a collaborative environment where your expertise in labour relations, compliance, and organisational culture will be highly valued and supported by executive leadership.
• Benefit from professional development opportunities within an international network committed to innovation, sustainability, and employee wellbeing, providing clear pathways for career advancement.

What you’ll do:

As Head of Human Resources based in the Western Cape, you will play a central role in shaping the people agenda for a thriving manufacturing business. Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you collaborating with senior leaders on strategic projects such as organisational design and workforce planning while also overseeing critical operational areas like talent acquisition and succession planning. You will guide a dedicated HR team towards delivering best-in-class services that support employee engagement and professional growth. By championing diversity & inclusion initiatives alongside robust compliance practices, you will help create an environment where everyone can flourish. Your ability to navigate complex labour relations issues will be essential in maintaining harmonious workplace dynamics. Through effective budget management and process optimisation, you will ensure that HR remains agile in meeting evolving business needs. Ultimately, your work will underpin the company’s commitment to excellence by fostering a supportive culture where employees feel valued.

• Develop and implement an overarching human resources strategy that aligns with both local business goals and broader group directives.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to the HR team to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality HR initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the Managing Director and other senior leaders to influence organisational design, workforce planning, and leadership development programmes.
• Oversee all aspects of talent acquisition, employee retention strategies, succession planning frameworks, and career development initiatives across multiple departments.
• Ensure full compliance with South African labour laws, employment equity requirements, and all relevant statutory obligations throughout the organisation.
• Directly manage complex employee relations matters at a strategic level—including grievance processes, disciplinary actions, and high-level labour dispute resolutions—while fostering positive relationships across the workforce.
• Champion key initiatives related to organisational culture enhancement, employee wellbeing programmes, employer branding efforts, as well as diversity and inclusion strategies.
• Manage HR budgets effectively while continuously improving systems, processes, and policies to enhance efficiency and service delivery throughout the department.
• Oversee robust reporting mechanisms for workforce metrics and analytics that inform data-driven decision-making at both operational and strategic levels.
• Represent the organisation in negotiations with external stakeholders—including legal forums and labour forums—and ensure successful completion of internal and external audits related to HR standards.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Human Resources in this setting, you will bring extensive experience gained from senior positions within complex environments—ideally manufacturing or comparable industries—where you have overseen large-scale HR operations. Your academic background should include advanced studies relevant to human resources or labour relations. You will have demonstrated success managing intricate employee relations scenarios while upholding rigorous compliance standards. Your interpersonal strengths enable you to build rapport quickly with colleagues at every level; your communication style is open yet diplomatic. You are adept at leveraging data-driven insights from workforce analytics tools to inform decisions that benefit both employees and the wider business. Your approach combines empathy with sound judgement when guiding teams through change or resolving sensitive issues. Above all else, your passion for nurturing inclusive workplaces shines through everything you do—making you not only dependable but also an inspiring presence within any leadership team.

• At least eight years’ experience in senior human resources leadership roles within manufacturing or similar sectors is required for this position.
• A postgraduate qualification in Human Resources Management, Labour Relations or a closely related discipline is essential for consideration.
• Comprehensive understanding of South African labour law frameworks as well as proven experience ensuring statutory compliance across large organisations is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability managing complex employee relations cases—including handling grievances, disciplinary procedures, and resolving high-level labour disputes—is vital.
• Exceptional skills in strategic thinking combined with strong operational execution capabilities are needed to succeed in this role.
• Proven track record of developing teams through inspirational leadership while influencing stakeholders at all levels within an organisation is highly desirable.
• Expertise using HR metrics tools—including workforce analytics platforms—as well as payroll systems and modern HRIS solutions is expected.
• Outstanding communication abilities coupled with advanced stakeholder management skills are important for building trust across diverse groups.
• High levels of integrity paired with resilience under pressure are crucial attributes for navigating fast-changing environments typical of manufacturing businesses.
• A deep commitment to ethical human resources practices along with enthusiasm for continuous improvement initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity is sought after.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as part of an internationally recognised group renowned for its commitment to innovation within food manufacturing. Employees benefit from being part of a rapidly expanding enterprise that places sustainability at its core while striving for operational excellence across every function. The company fosters a collaborative leadership culture where personal growth is encouraged through ongoing training opportunities as well as access to global networks. Employee wellbeing is prioritised alongside engagement initiatives designed to make everyone feel included regardless of background or role. With clear pathways for advancement into broader executive positions—both locally and internationally—you can expect your contributions here not only to be valued but also rewarded through meaningful professional development experiences. The supportive environment ensures that every team member has what they need to succeed while contributing positively towards shared goals rooted in respect for people and planet alike.

What’s next:

If you are ready to embrace an influential role where your expertise can drive real change across an entire organisation’s people strategy—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; take the next step towards shaping your future as Head of Human Resources within an inspiring international business.