Smollan Hiring Now | Talent Acquisition Jobs Johannesburg | Permanent HR Recruitment Position | TA Specialist Vacancies Gauteng 2026
Smollan, one of Africa’s most dynamic and globally connected retail solutions companies, is recruiting a Talent Acquisition Specialist based in Gauteng. This permanent, senior-level recruitment position is a standout opportunity for an experienced in-house recruiter or executive search specialist ready to shape talent strategy, build high-quality candidate pipelines, and play a pivotal role in attracting the best possible people to one of South Africa’s most exciting employers.
🌟 1 Permanent Position | Senior Recruitment Role | Strategic TA Impact — Apply Without Delay.
Talent Acquisition Specialist Job Overview – Smollan Gauteng
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Talent Acquisition Specialist |
| Company | Smollan |
| Job Reference | SM-7405 |
| Industry | Human Resources / Talent Acquisition / Recruitment |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Positions Available | 1 |
| Location | Gauteng |
| Date Posted | 05 March 2026 |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Apply Now |
About Smollan
Smollan is a global retail solutions company with a powerful footprint across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Partnering with the world’s leading FMCG and consumer goods brands, Smollan drives commercial growth through exceptional field execution, business intelligence, and — above all — extraordinary people.
At Smollan, the company is on an evolutionary journey to build a truly diverse, inclusive, and inspiring workplace where every person is cared for, empowered, and motivated to do the best work of their career. The Talent Acquisition Specialist sits at the heart of this mission — ensuring Smollan attracts, selects, and retains the very best talent across the organisation.
Purpose of the Role
The Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for ensuring organisational effectiveness and client satisfaction through the sourcing and placement of high-quality candidates across Smollan’s business. You will play a critical role in hiring the best possible talent by designing and executing innovative sourcing strategies, building robust internal and external talent pipelines, and continuously improving the recruitment experience for candidates, hiring managers, and HR stakeholders.
This is a strategic and operational recruitment role that combines hands-on delivery with data-driven process improvement, employer branding, and workforce planning support at an executive level.
Key Responsibilities – Talent Acquisition Specialist
Effective Recruitment for All Relevant Vacancies
- Manage end-to-end recruitment processes across all allocated vacancies, from briefing through to onboarding handover.
- Attend and conduct structured competency-based interviews aligned to Smollan’s selection framework and business requirements.
- Standardise and maintain reference checking procedures, interview process flows, and interview guides for all key job titles across the business.
- Draw up and maintain comprehensive guidelines for HR and Line Managers on reference checking best practices.
- Shortlist suitable candidates using structured selection processes and ensure all shortlisting decisions are documented accurately.
- Perform thorough reference checks on shortlisted applicants in line with business requirements and timelines.
- Monitor the quality of recruits and candidates entering the pipeline to ensure consistent hiring standards are maintained.
- Ensure all vacancies on the e-recruitment platform are processed and updated timeously.
- Handle all queries related to the e-recruitment system from candidates, managers, and HR stakeholders.
- Liaise with external service providers to ensure up-to-date market information and service delivery standards.
- Resolve service provider queries promptly and maintain strong vendor relationships.
- Take a central coordinating role for all logistics surrounding psychometric assessments for vacant roles.
Effective Talent Acquisition & Pipeline Development
- Analyse the Workforce Heat Map to identify high-priority, high-volume, and scarce skill positions requiring proactive pipeline development.
- Build and maintain an automated recruitment pool to ensure a consistent supply of pre-qualified candidates for Heat Map positions.
- Identify and utilise all available recruitment system resources — including job boards, LinkedIn Recruiter, ATS platforms, social media, and referral networks — to source suitable candidates.
- Create and maintain a structured database of suitable candidates for future reference and pipeline activation.
- Assist in designing attraction strategies aligned to workforce plans, identifying key, critical, and scarce skills across the business.
- Optimise talent acquisition processes based on trend analysis, business feedback, and evolving hiring requirements.
- Review workforce plans and active vacancies to ensure all appropriate interventions are in place to fill roles within required timeframes.
- Constantly seek new channels and methods to source top talent and actively build Smollan’s employer brand in the market.
- Improve organisational attractiveness by recommending new HR policies, monitoring compensation practices, and promoting Smollan’s employee value proposition.
- Avoid legal recruitment challenges by staying current on legislation, enforcing compliance with hiring managers, and conducting relevant training.
Effective Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
- Monitor recruitment processes and provide regular feedback on performance, challenges, and improvements to relevant stakeholders.
- Compile and present monthly recruitment reports for the Executive Committee (Exco) and the Group HR Forum.
- Keep abreast of talent acquisition trends, labour market developments, and emerging recruitment technologies.
- Communicate market insights and talent intelligence to HR leadership and business stakeholders.
- Identify process inefficiencies and make evidence-based recommendations for continuous improvement across the TA function.
Effective Self-Management & Professional Standards
- Maintain consistently high personal quality and productivity standards across all recruitment activities.
- Demonstrate structured application of internal HR and recruitment procedures at all times.
- Plan and prioritise workload effectively, managing multiple concurrent vacancies and competing stakeholder demands.
- Demonstrate agility and flexibility in adapting to changing business priorities and organisational needs.
- Balance achievement of individual KPIs with a broader understanding of and responsiveness to organisational goals.
Minimum Requirements – Talent Acquisition Specialist
Educational Qualifications
- Relevant Diploma or Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, or a related field at NQF Level 6 or 7 — required
Work Experience
- 5 to 6 years of end-to-end recruitment experience — essential
- Experience as an in-house recruitment specialist, preferably working with technical or specialist roles
- Recruitment agency experience, particularly in executive search, is strongly preferable
- Demonstrated experience building talent pipelines, managing ATS platforms, and working with workforce planning frameworks
Technical Knowledge & Systems
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Experience with multiple Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HRIS applications
- Working knowledge of e-recruitment platforms and online sourcing tools including LinkedIn Recruiter
Legislative & Process Knowledge
- Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures related to recruiting, advertising, and onboarding
- Understanding of South African labour legislation as it pertains to fair and compliant recruitment practices
Skills & Competencies Required
🎯 Sourcing Strategy & Talent Pipeline Development
The ability to think beyond active job applications — building proactive, creative, and diverse talent pipelines using multiple channels is a key differentiator for this role.
💬 Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Exceptional verbal and written communication is required for competency-based interviews, Exco reporting, stakeholder briefings, and candidate engagement at all levels.
📊 Data-Driven Thinking & Reporting
The Talent Acquisition Specialist compiles Exco and Group HR Forum reports, monitors Heat Map data, and tracks quality of hire. Strong analytical and reporting skills are essential.
🕐 Prioritisation & Multi-Tasking
Managing a high volume of concurrent vacancies across multiple business units demands exceptional planning, deadline management, and the ability to switch between strategic and operational demands fluidly.
🔄 Adaptability & Change Management
Smollan is a fast-evolving organisation. The ability to anticipate change, adapt recruitment strategies, and maintain delivery quality in a dynamic environment is critical.
🏆 Employer Branding Mindset
The best TA Specialists think like marketers. An understanding of how to position Smollan as an employer of choice — across digital platforms, professional networks, and the candidate experience — sets exceptional performers apart.
Why Join Smollan as a Talent Acquisition Specialist?
- Strategic Influence — Report directly to Exco and the Group HR Forum, giving your work real visibility and organisational impact
- End-to-End Ownership — Take full ownership of the TA function, from process design to pipeline development and employer branding
- Reputable, Growing Organisation — Work for a globally connected company that partners with the world’s most recognisable FMCG brands
- Career Development — Smollan invests in its HR and TA professionals and actively develops talent from within
- Diverse & Inclusive Culture — Be part of a company that genuinely values unique perspectives and builds belonging at every level
- People-First Philosophy — Work within an HR team that is truly valued, well-resourced, and empowered to make a difference
Career Growth Path – Talent Acquisition & HR Leadership
The Talent Acquisition Specialist role is a powerful stepping stone to HR leadership:
- Talent Acquisition Specialist → Senior TA Specialist / TA Lead
- TA Lead → Talent Acquisition Manager
- TA Manager → Head of Talent / HR Business Partner
- Head of Talent → Chief People Officer / HR Director
Senior in-house talent acquisition specialists with FMCG and executive search experience are among the most sought-after HR professionals in South Africa, with strong demand across consumer goods, retail, BPO, financial services, and professional services sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions – Talent Acquisition Specialist Jobs
What does a Talent Acquisition Specialist do at Smollan? A TA Specialist at Smollan manages the full recruitment lifecycle, builds talent pipelines, develops sourcing strategies, compiles Exco-level reports, and continuously improves the talent acquisition process to support Smollan’s workforce plans.
Is agency recruitment experience required? Recruitment agency experience, particularly in executive search, is listed as preferable but not essential. Strong in-house specialist recruitment experience is the primary requirement.
What ATS systems should I be familiar with? Experience with any mainstream ATS platforms is beneficial. Proficiency in e-recruitment tools, LinkedIn Recruiter, and HRIS applications is expected. Specific systems used at Smollan will be discussed during the interview.
What is the Heat Map referred to in this role? The Heat Map is Smollan’s internal workforce planning tool that identifies high-priority, high-volume, and scarce skill positions requiring proactive pipeline development and recruitment focus.
What reporting is involved in this role? The TA Specialist compiles and presents monthly recruitment performance reports for the Executive Committee (Exco) and the Group HR Forum — making strong data analysis and presentation skills essential.
Is this an operational or strategic role? Both. The TA Specialist is required to deliver hands-on recruitment across active vacancies while simultaneously driving strategic improvements to sourcing processes, employer branding, and talent pipeline development.
How to Apply for the Smollan Talent Acquisition Specialist Position
This is a single, permanent senior HR vacancy with significant organisational visibility. Given the seniority and strategic nature of the role, applications are expected to be highly competitive. Apply now to secure your place in the shortlisting process.
Documents Required:
- Updated CV with detailed in-house and/or agency recruitment experience clearly outlined
- Certified copy of HR Diploma or Degree (NQF Level 6 or 7)
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Contact details for at least two professional references, ideally from HR leadership
👉 Apply for Smollan Talent Acquisition Specialist – Gauteng
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received feedback within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
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Post last updated: March 2026 | Keywords: talent acquisition specialist jobs Johannesburg, TA specialist vacancy Gauteng 2026, in-house recruiter jobs South Africa, Smollan HR vacancies 2026, recruitment specialist jobs Gauteng, talent acquisition manager jobs South Africa, executive search jobs Johannesburg, HRIS recruiter jobs 2026, employer branding jobs South Africa, HR recruitment specialist Gauteng
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