Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited
Midrand, Gauteng
Permanent
Job Description
Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Senior Employee Relations Manager to join the Head Office team. Responsible for playing a pivotal role in rebuilding and shaping a positive employee relations culture aligned with the organization’s evolving culture philosophy. Modernize ER policies, processes, and frameworks to foster an environment of trust, fairness, and business effectiveness.
Minimum Requirements…
Essential:
- Postgraduate Qualification in Industrial Relations/Labour Law or equivalent
- 8 years of progressive Employee Relations experience, ideally within a complex, multi-site, or unionized environment
- 5 years management experience in Employee Relations or Labour Law
Job Specification…
ER Strategy & Culture Transformation:
- Partner with HR Snr Management Team in developing and executing a progressive ER strategy that aligns with the organisation business goals.
- Drive a shift from a reactive, compliance-driven ER approach to a proactive, business-integrated model that fosters engagement and accountability.
- Ensure ER policies and processes reflect the company’s values while balancing business needs and legal compliance.
- Act as a key culture contributor, ensuring ER interventions support leadership’s vision for a transformed workplace culture.
Policy & Process Modernisation:
- Review and redesign ER policies and procedures, including disciplinary, grievance, and dispute resolution frameworks, ensuring they are fair, transparent, and support business sustainability.
- Develop an ER governance model that ensures consistency in decision-making while empowering management to handle ER matters effectively.
- Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to keep ER policies current and competitive.
- Embed an approach to ER that prioritizes early intervention, conflict resolution, and effective employee communication.
ER Capability Building:
- Develop and deliver training programs for managers to enhance their ability to manage employee relations effectively and independently.
- Coach leaders and management teams on ER best practices, including handling grievances, conducting investigations, and managing disciplinary actions.
- Embed ER ownership within the line management structure, ensuring managers feel equipped and accountable for leading people in a fair and performance-driven manner.
- Implement a structured approach to ER case coaching, ensuring that the team provides real-time guidance on complex cases.
Case Management, Risk Mitigation & Compliance:
- Partner with the Group ER Manager in leading the resolution of high-risk and complex ER cases, ensuring outcomes align with company values and legal requirements.
- Develop a robust case management system to track ER trends, analyze root causes, and proactively address recurring issues.
- Ensure compliance with labor laws, industry regulations, and company policies to mitigate legal risks and reputational exposure.
- Partner with legal teams to manage employee disputes, arbitration, and litigation when necessary.
- Oversee the whistleblowing process, ensuring a confidential, transparent, and effective mechanism for employees to report concerns.
- Analyze whistleblowing trends to identify systemic issues, implement corrective actions, and enhance trust in the process, reinforcing a culture of integrity, accountability, and positive employee engagement.
- Build a governance framework that ensures proper investigation, follow-up actions, and alignment with ethical and compliance standards.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management:
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing progressive ER insights and data-driven recommendations.
- Partner with HR, Risk & Compliance, Loss Prevention, and Leadership team to drive ER-related change management initiatives.
- Foster strong relationships with employee representative bodies, unions, or work councils, bargaining councils ensuring constructive engagement.
- Liaise with CCMA, Department of Labour and related bodies.
- Lead ER communication strategies, ensuring employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and available support mechanisms.
Leading Team:
- Build and lead a high-performing ER team, ensuring the function is positioned for future growth.
- Collaborate with Group ER Manager & HR Director in building a roadmap for ER transformation that supports business scalability and long-term sustainability.
- Establish ER analytics and reporting mechanisms to provide leadership with visibility on key ER metrics, trends, and risks.
- Collaborate with Group ER Manager & HR Director in shaping a ER strategy that integrates with broader HR and business priorities, influencing workforce planning, performance management, and leadership development.
Competencies…
Essential:
- Deep understanding of labor laws, employment regulations, and ER best practices.
- Strong decision-making skills.
- Understanding of how ER impacts overall business performance, workforce productivity, and company culture.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Communication skills.
- Strong analytical skills with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- Management & leadership skills.
- Computer skills – Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
Special Conditions of Employment…
- South African citizen
- MIE, clear criminal and credit
- Driver’s license and/or own reliable transport
- Traveling
Remuneration and Benefits…
- Marketed related salary
- Medical aid
- Provident fund
- Staff account
ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.
Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.