Job description:

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Reporting Line: METERA HR Director
Entity: bioMérieux South Africa

bioMérieux is looking for a People Partner to support its South African organization, based in Johannesburg.
Reporting directly to the METERA HR Director, this role is a key contributor to the local organization and is part of the South Africa Local Management Team.

The People Partner plays a critical role in supporting business performance by acting as the first point of contact for employees and managers on all people-related topics. The position ensures the effective management of core HR activities while contributing to positive employee experience and strong people governance.

What will your responsibilities be?

As a People Partner, your main responsibilities will include:

Employee & Manager Support

• Act as the primary HR point of contact for employees and managers, providing guidance on HR policies, processes, and people matters
• Support and drive employee development initiatives and performance management processes
• Lead and take ownership of employee engagement strategies and initiatives within the subsidiary
• Provide sound and compliant advice to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary processes, investigations, terminations, and organizational changes
• Drive and support employee wellness initiatives to promote a healthy and productive work environment
• Conduct annual labour audits to ensure alignment of HR practices with Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) requirements, identifying gaps and areas of strength

Core HR Operations

• Manage day-to-day HR activities, including employment contracts, onboarding, offboarding, job changes, and payroll-related coordination
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are regularly reviewed, updated, and aligned with legislative and organizational requirements

• Oversee and ensure compliance with annual Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act audit requirements, in line with BBBEE objectives validated by the BBBEE Board.

• Ensure data accuracy and compliance within HR systems
• Support the local implementation of compensation, benefits, and mobility processes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, ensuring alignment with South African market best practices and organizational guidelines

HR Process Delivery & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with HR Centers of Expertise (CoEs) to deliver end‑to‑end HR processes (talent acquisition, learning & development, compensation & benefits, performance management, structured onboarding / offboarding)
• Act as the local interface to ensure global HR policies are effectively implemented and adapted to the local context

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with South African labor law and internal HR governance standards
• Maintain appropriate internal controls regarding access to HR data and processes
• Contribute to HR reporting and people analytics to support business and HR decision‑making

Profile description:

Who are you?

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5 years of experience in a generalist HR or HR Business Partner / People Partner role
• Solid knowledge of South African labor law and HR practices

Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels
• Pragmatic, hands‑on, and solution‑oriented mindset
• Ability to balance employee advocacy with business needs
• Comfortably operating in an international and matrix environment
• Strong sense of confidentiality, ethics, and compliance

Languages

• English: fluent
• Additional local languages are an asset