Employee Relations Manager - Cape Town

We are PepsiCo

PepsiCo is proud to be one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. Every day, we are dedicated to bringing our mission to create more smiles with every sip and every bite to life. Our products are enjoyed more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Our portfolio — including Lay’s, Doritos, Gatorade, Pepsi and Quaker — consists of many iconic brands that generate more than US $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales, helping to deliver more than US $70 billion in net revenue in 2020.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive. Through PepsiCo Positive, we are charting a new course to drive positive action for the planet and people. PepsiCo Positive is an end-to-end strategic business transformation with sustainability at the centre of how we will create growth and value by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change.

In South Africa (SA), you will find our products across the region at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. At the gym or on the field. In the office or on the go. We refresh, restore, and rejuvenate our consumers all day, every day with our key brands including Simba, Lay's, Liqui Fruit and Bokomo range of cereals. PepsiCo SA employs more than 13, 000 people across our three business divisions: Bakeries, Grains, Foods, Fruit, Snacks, Juice & Beverages.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for an Employee Relations Manager to join our team. Successful incumbent will proactively support the organisational ER agenda and function through the implementation of the ER strategy which will foster a positive organisational and labour relations climate. 

Accountabilities: 

• Assist in the development, implementation and administration of human resource employment policies.
• and procedures to ensure compliance with employment law.
• Conduct internal investigations and prepare all required documentation.
• Ensure that employee matters are handled with consistency and fairness without discrimination.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to all issues.
• Demonstrate working knowledge and extensive experience of the South African employment laws and regulations in order to coach and build HRM’s capability.
• Provide Employee Relations consultation and coaching for HD/HRM’s and line managers.
• Work with Senior ER Manager on regional and local reports.
• Represent SSSAand support HRM’s during CCMA preparations and hearings.
• Ensure that the company disciplinary code and procedures are adhered to accordingly.
• Ensure that all disciplinary outcomes are in line with the Company Code of Conduct.
• Co-ordination of E.R Training for people Managers and HR Community.
• Maintain a positive relationship with external stakeholders.
• Serve as communication link with bargaining unit representatives (stewards/committees) and individual employees to anticipate potential problems and improve understanding of the organization’s position.
• Researches current and potential labour relations problems, opportunities and issues and evaluates their impact.
• Monitor ER trends and provides input into plans to address certain issues and recommend solutions
• Co-ordinate local level negotiations and/or participate in negotiation of multi- location agreements with
• Maintaining sound ER practices at the Pepsico facilities
• Promoting a healthy workplace relationship with the trade union and shopstewards representatives
• Developing ER capabilities with line management and HR
• Advise evidence leaders and presiding officers on disciplinary cases
• Assist with the preparation and representation of cases at the CCMA
• Audit legal compliance for overtime
• Audit legal compliance in the employment of temporary employees

• HR or related Qualification
• Qualified Labour Attorney would be advantageous
• Experience in an Operations HR management role in a highly unionised environment
• Experience executing an ER strategy in a complex, multinational business
• A demonstrated ability to apply the relevant labour legislation and the management of labour relations in a highly unionised environment
• At least 4-5 years relevant experience at Management Level
• Stakeholder Management Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Advanced Computer Skills