HR Business Partner

Job Summary

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

People & Culture: Fostering a purpose-driven, inclusive culture where talent thrives, leadership grows and every employee is empowered to make joy.

The role is based in Johannesburg and Midrand, South Africa (hybrid role). Be part of a strategic, collaborative, and solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders across South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, and Nigeria, providing guidance on people-related matters aligned with IFF policies and local employment regulations.
• Partner with leaders on employee relations matters, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and change management initiatives.
• Coach leaders through complex people decisions, balancing business priorities, employee experience, and risk considerations.
• Participate in leadership forums and business planning discussions, leveraging data-driven insights and workforce trends to support decision making.
• Support the effective application of talent, learning, total rewards, and talent acquisition frameworks while ensuring alignment with local requirements.
• Advise leaders during performance management, talent reviews, development discussions, and succession planning activities.
• Lead and support employee relations cases, including investigations, disciplinary processes, and risk mitigation activities when required.
• Serve as the primary contact for union engagement activities and support the execution of annual wage negotiations.
• Identify opportunities to enhance employee and leader experiences while contributing to continuous improvement of the HR operating model.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience within a matrixed or global organization.
• Proven experience in Human Resources Business Partnering, employee relations, and Human Resources service delivery.
• Strong knowledge of South African labor legislation, employment practices, and employee relations processes.
• Demonstrated experience in union engagement and collective wage negotiations.
• Experience representing organizations in Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) processes.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end Human Resources processes and Shared Services operating models.
• Experience supporting the Skills Development component of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) initiatives.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence across a complex, matrixed organization. Customer-focused, adaptable, and proactive mindset with sound judgment in managing sensitive situations.

• Strong professional presence with the confidence to provide clear guidance, influence decision making, and navigate challenging employee relations matters with diplomacy and sound judgment.

• Experience working across multiple African markets beyond South Africa would be highly valued. Knowledge of an additional African language would be considered an advantage.

Why Choose Us?

• Opportunity to partner with leaders across multiple African markets and contribute to a dynamic regional people agenda.
• Exposure to a global organization with diverse teams, cultures, and business functions.
• Professional onboarding and continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Access to global Human Resources expertise, tools, and best practices.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Hybrid working environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more