HR Operations Manager

Job Type

Permanent

Job Category

Human Resources

Location

Woodmead - Johannesburg, GP ZA (Primary)

Description

This role keeps our people engine running properly.

You'll lead our HR team and make sure our operations are disciplined, compliant and fit for a modern engineering consultancy. You'll work closely with leaders to turn business priorities into practical, workable people solutions.

• Keep HR processes efficient, consistent and legally sound.
• Improve systems and ways of working - don't just maintain them.
• Make sure our HR data and reporting are accurate and audit-ready.
• Run performance and development, salary review and benchmarking processes with care and rigour.

• Lead, coach and grow the HR team (including a Talent Development Partner, People Relations Partner, HR Officer and HR Administrator) to ensure coordinated, high-quality service delivery across operations, recruitment, payroll and development.
• Set clear standards, accountability and ways of working across the team.
• Ensure the team is responsive, steady and trusted by the business.

• Guide leaders through complex ER matters.
• Oversee disciplinary, grievance and incapacity processes.
• Protect fairness, consistency and organisational integrity.
• Step in when matters are sensitive or high risk.

• Be a sounding board to leaders.
• Help embed organisational changes smoothly.
• Translate policy and legislation into practical, usable guidance.
• Keep our policies relevant and aligned to how we work.

• Make sure HR service delivery is professional and reliable.
• Support effective recruitment processes.
• Keep Health & Safety compliance on track.
• Maintain the governance discipline that protects the business.

• 10+ years' senior HR generalist experience in South Africa, with strong experience in HR operations and processes.
• Strong labour law and employee relations expertise.
• Experience leading and developing an HR team.
• Experience running salary reviews and reward processes.
• Exposure to organisational change and HR systems improvement.
• Labour Law qualification (advantageous).
• Health & Safety certification (advantageous).
• Project or process improvement exposure (advantageous).

• You are curious and always looking for a better way.
• You improve systems.
• You stay steady and constructive under pressure.
• You apply integrity consistently - even when it's uncomfortable.
• You simplify complexity so others can act with confidence.
• You build trusted relationships across the business.
• You operate confidently with senior leaders and contribute to strengthening overall organisational maturity.
• You continuously improve HR systems and processes, using technology intelligently to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Atana (Pty) Ltd is an equal opportunity employer that embraces and encourages personal skills, talents, and diverse perspectives within its workforce.