Strategic Human Resources Leadership Opportunity at Impact HR
Impact HR is recruiting an experienced and strategic Assistant HR Manager to join its Finance and Administration team on a permanent basis in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. This mid-to-senior level opportunity is ideal for a seasoned human resources professional with strong experience in HR strategy, talent management, employee relations, and labour law compliance within a structured corporate or industrial environment.
Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this role offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping human resources strategy, supporting leadership decision-making, and driving employee engagement initiatives while ensuring full compliance with South African labour legislation, Employment Equity, and BBBEE requirements.
The Assistant HR Manager position is suited to a confident, analytical, and people-focused professional who can balance strategic HR planning with hands-on operational execution.
About the Role
The Assistant HR Manager is accountable for supporting and driving the organisation’s human resources strategy in alignment with overall business objectives. The role focuses on managing core HR functions, strengthening people processes, ensuring legislative compliance, and fostering a positive and productive workplace culture.
This position requires a strong understanding of end-to-end HR operations, including recruitment, performance management, employee relations, payroll oversight, and HR systems administration. The Assistant HR Manager works closely with senior leadership and departmental managers to ensure that HR initiatives support organisational growth, workforce stability, and long-term sustainability.
As a key member of the Finance and Administration team, the role requires strong commercial awareness, confidentiality, and the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
Key Responsibilities
HR Strategy and Organisational Development
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing HR strategies that align with the organisation’s business objectives. This includes supporting workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and organisational effectiveness initiatives.
The role involves analysing workforce trends, identifying skills gaps, and implementing strategies that support long-term people capability and performance.
Recruitment, Onboarding, and Talent Management
The Assistant HR Manager will oversee recruitment processes, ensuring that talent acquisition aligns with operational needs and organisational values. This includes managing onboarding processes, supporting performance management frameworks, and coordinating succession planning initiatives.
The role requires close collaboration with line managers to ensure effective hiring decisions, smooth employee integration, and ongoing talent development.
Employee Relations and Labour Compliance
A core responsibility of the role is managing employee relations matters, including grievance handling, disciplinary processes, and dispute resolution. The Assistant HR Manager must ensure that all employee relations processes are handled fairly, consistently, and in compliance with South African labour legislation.
The role also involves providing guidance to management on labour law matters, employee conduct, and best-practice HR approaches.
Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture
The Assistant HR Manager plays a key role in driving employee engagement initiatives and promoting a positive workplace culture. This includes implementing engagement programmes, supporting communication initiatives, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative working environment.
The role supports leadership in maintaining high levels of employee morale, retention, and organisational commitment.
Compliance, EE, and BBBEE Management
The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with Employment Equity legislation, BBBEE requirements, and other statutory obligations. This includes managing reporting requirements, supporting audits, and ensuring that HR practices align with legislative frameworks and organisational policies.
Accuracy, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of compliance requirements are essential for this function.
Payroll, Benefits, and HR Systems Oversight
The Assistant HR Manager oversees payroll administration, employee benefits, and HR systems to ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness. This includes supporting payroll processes, monitoring benefits administration, and ensuring that HR data is maintained accurately across systems.
The role requires close coordination with finance teams and external service providers where applicable.
HR Team Leadership and Development
The Assistant HR Manager is responsible for leading and developing the HR team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This includes setting performance expectations, providing coaching and mentorship, and supporting professional development within the HR function.
Strong leadership and communication skills are essential to ensure consistent service delivery and team effectiveness.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates applying for this role must meet the following requirements:
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Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology, or a related field
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Honours qualification will be advantageous
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Strong understanding of South African labour legislation and HR best practices
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Valid driver’s licence
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Willingness to work additional hours when required
Experience and Professional Background
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5–7 years’ experience in HR management or senior HR generalist roles
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Proven experience managing recruitment, employee relations, and performance management processes
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Experience with HR systems, payroll administration, and benefits management
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Demonstrated ability to lead HR teams and manage multiple priorities effectively
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Experience within automotive, manufacturing, or industrial environments will be advantageous
Key Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong capability in:
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HR strategy development and execution
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Labour law interpretation and compliance
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Employee relations and conflict resolution
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Talent management and succession planning
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Payroll and HR systems administration
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Stakeholder engagement and communication
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Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Fundamental Competencies
This role requires a professional who is:
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Ethical, confidential, and trustworthy
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Detail-oriented and highly organised
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Confident communicating at senior management level
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Resilient and adaptable in dynamic environments
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Results-driven with strong follow-through
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Committed to continuous improvement and people development
Employment Details
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Position Type: Permanent
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Company: Impact HR
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Department: Finance and Administration
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Location: Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
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Industry: Automotive
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Job Functional Area: Human Resources
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Experience Level: Mid-Senior
Apply for Assistant HR Manager – Port Elizabeth
Qualified candidates with strong HR leadership experience are encouraged to submit their applications.
👉 Apply for Assistant HR Manager – Port Elizabeth
Applicants should ensure that their CV clearly demonstrates their HR management experience, leadership capability, and knowledge of South African labour legislation. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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