HR Executive

Johannesburg, South AfricaFull-timeExecutiveOn-sitePosted 19 Oct 2026

Job Overview

Snackworks, part of JSE-listed AVI Limited (home to brands such as Bakers, Pyotts, Willards and Provita), is seeking a commercially minded HR Executive in Johannesburg to lead its people agenda across head office and manufacturing operations (ref 207599; permanent; apply before 29 October 2026).

As a key member of the executive team, the HR Executive partners the MD, FD and Operations Executives on decisions affecting people, labour costs, productivity and business continuity. The role leads the HR function and labour-relations strategy—including significant union relationships, wage negotiations and responses to industrial action—provides functional direction to factory HR Managers, and builds capability, talent, succession and organisation effectiveness to deliver strong commercial and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the Snackworks people strategy aligned to commercial and manufacturing priorities

• Partner with the MD, FD and Operations Executives on people decisions, labour costs, productivity and continuity

• Lead labour relations strategy, significant union relationships and wage negotiations, including costed proposals and mandates

• Direct responses to complex disputes and industrial action

• Build capability for operators, artisans and frontline leaders to improve output, quality, safety, cost and reliability

• Lead talent, performance and succession planning across head office and factories

• Lead the central HR team and provide functional direction to factory HR Managers

• Drive organisation effectiveness, transformation, HR governance and consistent people practices

Required Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Labour Relations or related

• At least 10 years’ HR management experience in manufacturing, with responsibility across multiple unionised factories

• Established experience as a business-unit HR Executive contributing directly to executive decisions

• Deep experience in union engagement, collective bargaining, wage negotiations, complex disputes and industrial action

• Record of leading HR teams and influencing delivery through functional reporting lines

• Demonstrated improvements in workforce capability, succession and organisation effectiveness; understanding of labour costs and factory productivity

• Postgraduate HR / Industrial Psychology qualification and negotiation or dispute-resolution certification advantageous

Skills & Requirements

HR StrategyLabour RelationsCollective BargainingWage NegotiationsUnion EngagementIndustrial Action ManagementTalent & Succession PlanningOrganisation EffectivenessManufacturing HRWorkforce CapabilityHR GovernanceTransformationExecutive Partnering