Industrial Relations Officer

Company Overview

Hisense South Africa entered the local market in 1996, offering a broad range of appliances including televisions, refrigerators, mobile phones, washing machines, and air conditioners. Its distribution network encompasses over 5,100 outlets across South Africa and extends into neighboring Southern African countries such as Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. From 2012 onwards, Hisense has experienced consistent growth in sales in South Africa. By 2019, their refrigerators claimed the top market share at 29%, leading in volume, and achieved the highest sales revenue at 26%. Hisense televisions captured 26% of the sales volume, ranking first, and secured the second-highest sales revenue at 24% nationally.

Role Purpose

The Industrial Relations Officer will oversee and specialize in labor relations at the plant level. This role ensures smooth union relations, manages fair disciplinary procedures, addresses employee grievances, and acts as the factory's representative at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the MEIBC Centre for Dispute Resolution.

Key Duties

• Resolve workplace grievances by conducting inquiries and disciplinary hearings, swiftly managing conflicts on the factory floor.
• Prepare and organize case materials to represent the factory during CCMA and MEIBC conciliations and arbitration proceedings.
• Foster positive cooperation with shop stewards and union representatives, leading local collective bargaining and wage negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with MEIBC Main Agreement and council regulations concerning wages, leave scheduling, and factory operational adjustments.
• Provide guidance and training to management and supervisors on South African labour legislations such as the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), including disciplinary best practices.
• Monitor attendance, absenteeism, and manage progressive corrective disciplinary actions in collaboration with factory managers daily.
• Utilize advanced Excel skills and have proficiency in standard Windows office software suites for reporting and analysis.

Candidate Requirements

• Educational background with a national diploma or bachelor's degree in Labour Law, Labour Relations, or Human Resources Management.
• At least 3 to 5 years of focused industrial relations experience within manufacturing, heavy engineering, or factory settings.
• Proven experience in chairing disciplinary hearings and representing employers before arbitration and conciliation forums.
• Thorough, applied knowledge of MEIBC agreements and dispute resolution procedures.
• Possession of a valid driver's license is mandatory.

Location

This position is based in Atlantis, Western Cape, South Africa.