CareerJunctionZACareerJunctionZA
Back to jobs

HR Manager Role at The AkzoNobel – Apply now!

AkzoNobel Umbogintwini, KwaZulu-Natal 5 months ago
Full-time
Human Resources
Market Related
Get instant alerts for Human Resources
Install the Android app to be notified the moment matching roles are posted.

Job Details

🏢 Company: AkzoNobel

📍 Location: Umbogintwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

🏭 Site: Twini Manufacturing Plant

💼 Position: HR Manager (Manufacturing)

🆔 Requisition ID: 51720

🏢 Company Overview

AkzoNobel has been a global leader in paints and coatings since 1792, supplying innovative products that protect and enhance everyday life. Its world-class portfolio includes brands such as Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon, trusted in more than 150 countries worldwide.

The company is dedicated to sustainable solutions and creating a better tomorrow while preserving what matters today. AkzoNobel promotes innovation, operational excellence, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

💼 Job Overview

AkzoNobel is seeking a highly experienced HR Manager (Manufacturing) with strong Employee & Industrial Relations expertise to support its Twini manufacturing operations in KZN.

This role sits at the heart of operational HR delivery, partnering closely with site leadership to ensure compliance, engagement, workforce stability, and legally sound ER/IR practices. The position operates within the HR Operating Model (HRBP, People Services and Centres of Expertise) to deliver a seamless employee experience.

A strong focus will be placed on union engagement, collective bargaining, consultation forums, dispute resolution, and statutory compliance.

🔑 Key Responsibilities

1️⃣ HR Partnership & Employee Lifecycle

  • Coach managers on performance, development, talent reviews, and reward cycles

  • Facilitate performance and talent calibration sessions

  • Lead operational workforce planning

  • Provide guidance on recruitment, restructuring, performance and absence management

  • Support succession planning and talent pipeline initiatives

  • Drive site engagement and champion company values

2️⃣ Employee & Industrial Relations (Core Focus)

  • Represent the company in labour relations and collective bargaining

  • Manage union relationships and consultation forums

  • Liaise with CCMA, Department of Labour, Bargaining Councils and Labour Court

  • Implement and govern ER frameworks and collective agreements

  • Manage grievances, discipline, disputes, suspensions and investigations

  • Provide legally compliant ER guidance to HR and line managers

  • Design initiatives to build trust between management and organised labour

  • Deliver ER capability training to managers and shop stewards

3️⃣ Operational Excellence

  • Drive continuous improvement in HR processes

  • Ensure effective implementation of global HR standards

  • Guide employees to correct HR service channels

  • Improve HR data accuracy and reporting

  • Support roll-out of CoE initiatives (learning, reward, etc.)

4️⃣ Compliance & Risk Management

  • Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation

  • Participate in Speak Up investigations

  • Support audits and internal compliance processes

  • Counsel management on labour dispute resolution

  • Monitor legislative updates and embed best practices

🎓 Qualifications

📚 Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) or equivalent in HR, Labour Relations or related field

🧾 Experience

  • 5–7 years HR Generalist experience

  • Approximately 70% focus on Industrial Relations

  • Proven exposure to mediation, arbitration and litigation

  • Experience engaging unions and statutory bodies

  • Willingness to travel

💡 Skills

  • Strong stakeholder and influencing skills

  • Excellent labour legislation knowledge (South African framework)

  • Strategic problem-solving ability

  • High integrity and balanced conflict resolution approach

  • Strong business acumen

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

📝 CV Tips for This Role

To stand out for this HR Manager position:

  • Clearly quantify your IR exposure (e.g., number of CCMA cases handled, bargaining rounds led).

  • Highlight manufacturing or unionised environment experience.

  • Include examples of mediation, arbitration, or Labour Court exposure.

  • Demonstrate experience in workforce restructuring or change management.

  • Showcase measurable impact (e.g., reduced dispute rates, improved engagement scores).

  • Keep your CV structured, professional, and achievement-focused rather than listing duties only.

🌟 Benefits of Joining AkzoNobel

  • Opportunity to work for a global leader operating in 150+ countries

  • Exposure to international HR operating models

  • Strong organisational focus on sustainability and innovation

  • Inclusive and diverse workplace culture

  • Professional growth in a high-impact manufacturing environment

📜 Company Policy

AkzoNobel is committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can thrive.

The company promotes diversity and equal opportunity and ensures that all qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

All HR and labour processes are conducted in compliance with South African labour legislation and company governance frameworks. The organisation also trains its leadership teams on unconscious bias to ensure fair and equitable hiring practices.