Head of Human Resources

A prominent and forward-thinking South African biotechnology organisation is seeking a highly strategic and hands-on Head of Human Resources to lead their people function. Based on-site at the offices in Midrand (New Road area), this role is pivotal in shaping how the organisation's people grow, perform, and thrive. Managing an on-site team of 80 to 90 employees, you will act as a trusted advisor to the executive team and oversee one direct report (HR Administrator).

The working hours for this on-site position are 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Alignment: Partner with department heads to design and implement human resource solutions that directly support broader business objectives.
  

• Policy & Compliance: Review, update, and maintain HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), company policies, organisational charts, and job descriptions.
  

• Talent Acquisition: Manage the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle, including sourcing, screening, negotiating, and successfully placing qualified talent.
  

• Onboarding & Offboarding: Oversee the lifecycle of employees to ensure a professional and seamless transition into and out of the organisation.
  

• Performance Management: Drive the performance appraisal cycle from start to finish, which includes setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and conducting training for staff and management.
  

• Employee Relations: Provide guided support on workplace relations and lead formal industrial relations processes in alignment with local labor legislation and company culture.
  

• Training & Development: Facilitate in-house training sessions and champion internal career progression paths.
  

• Audit Preparation: Lead personnel documentation and training files preparation for stringent compliance audits (such as ISO, SANAS, and AABB).
  

• Reporting & Administration: Compile and present comprehensive monthly HR reports to executive management, and make market-related salary recommendations during review cycles.
  

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a closely related field.
  

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive human resources experience.
  

• Prior human resource management experience within a biotechnology, medical, scientific, or highly regulated compliance-driven industry.
  

• System Expertise: Proven, hands-on experience utilizing Sage 300 for HR and payroll administration.
  

• Expertise: Deep understanding of South African labor laws, performance management methodologies, and industrial relations.
  

• Skills: Exceptionally strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and numerical accuracy skills.
  

Required Software Skills

• Sage 300
  

• Microsoft Office Suite (advanced proficiency)
  

Benefits

• Remuneration Structure: Total Cost to Company (CTC) packaging.
  

• Performance Bonus: Access to an OKR (Objectives and Key Results) performance management system offering the opportunity to earn up to a 13th cheque (performance-based, non-guaranteed). Alternatively, a 13th cheque can be structured directly from the allocated CTC.
  

• Retirement Benefit: An 8% company contribution towards the Liberty Retirement Fund (employee contribution is optional).
  

• Medical Aid: Compulsory medical aid membership, with a company contribution of R1,350 per month structured as part of the overall CTC.
  

• Annual Leave: Standard entitlement of 15 days, with flexibility to negotiate upward if the successful candidate currently holds a higher leave allocation.
  

• Additional Perks: Earned Wage Access, birthday leave, employee wellness initiatives, social events, and continuous professional development opportunities.