**Job Advert**:
Ackermans is looking for an Employee Relations Specialist to provide sound, effective services, advice and support on labour (employee) relations matters to line managers and the broader HR team. To exercise independent judgement and initiative in determining, recommending and/or facilitating courses of action when dealing with the full range of employee relations services incl. advising on policies and practices, compensation and benefits, disciplinary / grievance matters and investigations, managing collective bargaining and employer-union relationships. The position is based in Cape Town but will work across our Support Centre, Distribution Centres, Field and Stores across South Africa and our cross Border countries.

**Qualifications**:

- 3 Year tertiary qualification in HR/ER/Labour Management or related field

**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**:
Knowledge: Essential: - Extensive industrial relations experience at management level with disciplinary matters incl. chairing, initiating, training & development, retrenchments, strike & lock-outs. - Training & development wrt basic principles of ER - Extensive knowledge of Labour Legislation i.e. LRA, BCEA, etc. - Extensive knowledge of how to develop and implement policies

Preferred Knowledge: - People management practices, policies & procedures - Advanced computer literacy: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint (MS Project - desirable)

Experience and Skills: - Min 3 years representing experience at CCMA incl. arbitration - Min 2 years active participation in multi-unionised environment incl. collective bargaining, wage negotiations, strikes & lock-outs etc.

Experience of planning and delivering employee relations initiatives - Proven ability to implement commercially viable and business-relevant policies and practices which are legislatively compliant and support the company strategy - Ability to improve knowledge of labour (employee) relations practices within HR and business - Strong project management skills - Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level - Sensitive people skills: a high level of emotional intelligence; excellent interpersonal skills; a wide understanding of people issues - Ability to work well under pressure - Ability to demonstrate presence and credibility within the organisation - Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels

**Key Responsibilities**:
To provide sound, effective services, advice and support on labour (employee) relations matters to line managers and broader HR team. To exercise independent judgement and initiative in determining, recommending and/or facilitating courses of action when dealing with the full range of employee relations services incl. advising on policies and practices, compensation and benefits, disciplinary / grievance matters and investigations, managing collective bargaining and employer-union relationships.