HR Country Manager, Ivory Coast

About the Role

The Country HR Manager plays a key role in driving execution and operational excellence in HR in the Ivory Coast in alignment with the business needs and strategy. Together with Africa HR leadership and the Country Management team the incumbent identifies the strategic priorities, and provides input & leadership into the operational and tactical plans, overseeing as well the day to day execution of such plans. This role will also focus on developing and implementing HR policies ensuring compliance with group requirements and applicable laws and regulations and play a critical role in managing a successful Employee Relations agenda. 

The role will lead a team of Local HR Business partners and other HR professionals and ensure they bring the right mix of skills and capabilities and contribute to building a robust and diverse leadership pipeline at each level, promoting high-performing and engaged workforce and effective attraction and retention procedures to ensure we have the right people at the right roles. This an opportunity to truly drive significant and lasting change for our people agenda in Africa as a key member of the Africa HR Leadership team.   

Key Responsibilities include:

• Proactively ensure business units are properly resourced and HR governance & legal compliance is adhered to

• Support Line Managers on adequate planning resources for their organization in terms of organizational design, capabilities and skills

• Champion and monitor the business’s adherence to mandatory compliance requirements including (SMETA, FDA, Local conformities) & mandatory training requirements

• Identify business and people risks before it escalates and take necessary action

• Drive the understanding of the importance of completing the training or following policies  within the regulated timelines

• Advise internal customers and line managers on employee engagement, performance management, talent management and reward

• Track and facilitate Performance cycle, Performance improvement plans, Promotions, Specific training and Development interventions, Annual compensation review and Exits

• Anticipate separations, retirement, and replacement and highlight gaps to the Regional HR Director for people plans and budget for the following year in line with local regulations

• Review overall pay levels for the business unit against market information and incorporate trends identified

• Prepare a proactive annual Employee Relations strategy

• Actively participate in employee relations interventions including bi monthly factory visits. 

• Review the merits of new cases and participate in decision making

• Ensure a thorough understanding of all HR processes and policies for the line managers

• Act as a change champion on HR improvements and align with the regional HR project team to deliver them

• Guide line managers across the business on how to interpret and apply the requirements and what the business benefits are of doing so

• Deliver Talent reviews and calibration sessions when required and follow through to complete TR actions in market

• Work with talent manager and functional line managers to provide input into the country’s skills development plans. Coach line managers on how to have career and development discussions with their teams

About You

• Bachelor Degree with an advanced degree in People management or Organizational development strongly preferred

• Min 10  years’ of combined experience in HR and deep understanding of the core Human Capital functions including Resourcing, Reward, Employee Relations, Industrial Relations, Diversity and Inclusion, Learning and Development and Organizational Effectiveness 

• Proven track record as HRBP & HR Manager in manufacturing or industrial context in an international organization

• Experience of leading a team of HR professionals and experts

• Ability to develop talent as well as identify and address underperformance

• Negotiation with unions and staff representatives 

• Understanding and clear knowledge of the fundamental and varied labor laws applicable in the market

• Expert in managing disciplinary cases, workplace conflict, workplace  litigation  

• Able to consolidate, interpret data and build the necessary analysis and business cases  

• Excellent planner and creative use of time and budget

• Solutions driven mindset and ability to demonstrate critical thinking  

• Results oriented and passionate about people development 

• Fluent in French & English is mandatory