HR Business Partner – Operations

Our client is urgently seeking a strong and experienced HR Business Partner to support the Operations function. This role goes beyond traditional HR administration and requires a commercially minded HR professional who understands business operations, workforce productivity, and organizational performance. The role will take full ownership of HR within operations, strengthening internal controls, driving performance management, managing disciplinary processes, and ensuring operational efficiency and safety compliance across multiple teams.

Key Responsibilities

HR Business Partnering & Strategic Support

• Partner with Operations leadership to align workforce strategy with business objectives and operational targets.
• Provide proactive HR advisory support on organizational structure, manpower planning, and productivity optimization.
• Participate in operational meetings to provide people insights supporting business decision- making.
• Translate business needs into HR interventions that improve performance, engagement, and efficiency.
• Act as a trusted advisor to line managers on all people management matters.

Performance Management & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the performance management framework.
• Support the development of KPIs aligned to operational goals and departmental deliverables.
• Guide managers in performance reviews, performance improvement plans (PIPs), and capability development.
• Monitor performance trends and provide HR analytics to support leadership decisions.
• Drive a high-performance and accountability culture across operations.

Employee Relations & Disciplinary Management

• Manage complex employee relations matters, including grievances, investigations, disciplinary hearings, and conflict resolution.
• Ensure disciplinary processes comply fully with Kenyan labour laws and procedural fairness requirements.
• Provide coaching to managers on handling misconduct, performance concerns, and workplace conflict.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit-ready disciplinary records.

HR Operations & Internal Controls

• Oversee full HR lifecycle management, including recruitment, onboarding, confirmation, transfers, and exits.
• Develop, review, and enforce HR policies, SOPs, and internal HR controls.
• Strengthen HR governance structures to minimize operational risk and ensure compliance.
• Ensure accurate HR documentation, employee records management, and statutory compliance.

Workforce Planning & Talent Management

• Support workforce planning aligned to operational demand and business growth.
• Identify skills gaps and recommend training and succession planning initiatives.
• Support onboarding and integration of new employees within operational teams.
• Drive retention strategies and employee engagement initiatives.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to Kenyan labour legislation and HR regulatory requirements.
• Support the implementation of occupational health and safety practices within operations.
• Identify HR-related operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Conduct HR audits and compliance reviews where necessary.

HR Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare and analyze HR metrics, including turnover, absenteeism, productivity indicators, and disciplinary trends.
• Provide management with data-driven HR insights to support operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate HR dashboards and periodic HR reports.

 Leadership Coaching & Culture Development

• Coach supervisors and operational managers on leadership effectiveness and people management practices.
• Drive organizational culture aligned with accountability, efficiency, and performance excellence.
• Champion employee engagement and change management initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Higher Diploma in HRM / IHRM membership is an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 years’ HR experience, preferably supporting operations, manufacturing, logistics, retail, or fast-paced environments.
• Proven experience operating as an HR Business Partner or senior HR generalist.
• Strong experience managing disciplinary processes and employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated understanding of business operations and organizational performance drivers.
• Strong working knowledge of Kenyan labour laws and HR compliance practices.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership influence skills.
• Hands-on, practical, and execution-focused approach to HR.
• Must currently reside in Nairobi or nearby.