Job Description

Head of People & Business Partner – Africa

Location: Africa (flexible – travel required)

Industry: Advanced Materials / Composites / Manufacturing

Salary: Competitive + bonus + benefits

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a leading manufacturer of FRP composite solutions who are elevating their people function across Africa.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for partnering with the MD and Executive Team to build organisational capability, drive performance, and embed a high-performance culture aligned to business growth.

You'll move the people function beyond traditional HR — into genuine strategic business partnering.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to the MD and Executive Team
• Align people strategy with business priorities and growth objectives
• Provide insight and guidance on organisational effectiveness

OD & Capability Building

• Lead organisational development strategy and interventions
• Drive succession planning and leadership pipeline development
• Ensure the organisation has the capacity to scale effectively

Performance Management & Culture

• Design and implement performance frameworks across all levels
• Support Executive KPI setting and evaluation
• Embed a culture of accountability, execution, and continuous improvement

Organisation Design & Change Management

• Lead org design, role clarity, and operating model alignment
• Drive end-to-end change management and transformation initiatives
• Support restructuring, cultural change, and operational excellence

HR Governance & Employee Relations

• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation
• Oversee IR frameworks, policies, and complex people matters

Requirements

• Degree or National Diploma in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Business, or related field — postgraduate qualification advantageous
• 5–8+ years in senior HR or people leadership roles, with experience in:
• Strategic business partnering at Executive level
• Organisational development and change management
• Manufacturing, industrial, or technical environments
• Executive performance management and leadership coaching
• Strong understanding of South African labour legislation High business acumen with the ability to link people strategy to commercial outcomes

Why This Role?

• Partner directly with Executive leadership on real business challenges
• Shape culture and capability in a high-growth manufacturing environment
• Move beyond traditional HR into genuine strategic influence
• High autonomy, senior mandate, and strong earning potential