Reports To: General/Country Manager
Organization: Kenvado Pure Oils Limited
Position Description Review: As required
Location: Kisii
About Us
The Kenvado Kenvado Pure Oils Limited is an Avocado Oil Pressing and Refinery Plant in Kisii is a new and growing agro-processing operation focused on producing high-quality, food-safe avocado oil for local and international markets. Our operations are driven by strong values around compliance, safety, quality, and people. We are committed to building a productive, inclusive, and well-managed workforce that supports sustainable growth and operational excellence. (This can be reviewed and amended to align on the business purpose and objectives)
Position Purpose
The Human Resources & Industrial Relations Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of all Human Resources, Industrial Relations (IR), and Employee Relations (ER) functions at the Kisii plant. The role provides end-to-end leadership in workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, payroll coordination, union and labour relations, dispute resolution, discipline management, and statutory compliance.
The position plays a critical role in building a stable, compliant, and high-performing workforce aligned with production targets and operational demands. The role works in close collaboration with Production, Quality & Compliance, Finance/Admin, and Health & Safety teams to ensure effective people management, legal compliance, and business continuity.
Responsibilities and KPI’s
Workforce Planning & Recruitment
1. Lead recruitment for plant staff, casual workers, supervisors, and support roles.
2. Plan workforce requirements in line with production schedules and seasonal demand.
3. Coordinate contracts, offers, and pre-employment documentation.
4. Maintain accurate headcount and workforce planning records.
KPI's
1. 100% of approved vacancies filled within agreed recruitment timelines.
2. Workforce plans updated and aligned with production schedules each quarter.
3. < 5% variance between planned and actual headcount during peak seasons.
Onboarding, Induction & Training
1. Coordinate employee onboarding and plant inductions, including HR policies, employee rights, disciplinary procedures, CBAs (where applicable), safety, and food safety requirements.
2. Maintain training, induction, and competency records for all employees.
3. Coordinate mandatory, compliance, SOPs, and refresher training in consultation with line managers, H&S, and employee/union representatives where applicable.
4. Identify skills gaps and support workforce development initiatives to improve productivity, compliance, and employee engagement.
KPI's
1. 100% of new employees complete induction covering HR, ER, IR, and safety requirements before commencing work.
2. Training records maintained with 100% accuracy and audit readiness.
3. Mandatory and compliance training maintained at 100% completion at all times.
Employee & Industrial Relations with Stakeholder Collaboration
1. Lead and manage all employee and industrial relations activities in collaboration with management, unions, and employee representatives.
2. Act as the first point of contact for employee enquiries, grievances, and HR-related concerns, ensuring timely engagement with relevant stakeholders.
3. Interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with Kenyan labour laws in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Foster a respectful, inclusive, and compliant workplace culture through continuous engagement with employees, supervisors, and union leadership.
5. Interpret, implement, and ensure compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
6. Lead CBA negotiations, renewals, and implementation in collaboration with senior management and recognised unions.
7. Manage labour disputes, IR-level grievances, disciplinary appeals, and conciliations through structured engagement and dialogue.
8. Represent the company in labour offices, mediation forums, and industrial relations hearings as the official employer representative.
9. Proactively assess IR risks and implement mitigation strategies through early consultation and stakeholder engagement.
KPI's
1. 100% ER and IR matters resolved within internal and statutory timelines through effective stakeholder engagement.
2. 100% of employee grievances resolved within company policy and statutory timelines.
3. Zero adverse findings or penalties arising from non-compliance with Kenyan labour legislation.
4. Year-on-year reduction in workplace misconduct and conflict-related cases.
5. 100% compliance with all applicable CBA provisions throughout the review period.
6. CBAs concluded and implemented within agreed timelines without operational disruption.
7. Labour disputes resolved internally or at conciliation level without escalating litigation.
8. 100% timely, accurate, and professional representation before labour authorities and forums.
Performance & Discipline Management
1. Support performance management processes, including reviews and feedback cycles.
2. Coordinate disciplinary processes in line with Kenyan labour laws and company policy.
3. Ensure fair, documented, and legally compliant handling of disciplinary cases.
KPI's
1. 100% compliance with Kenyan labour law in all disciplinary actions.
2. Performance reviews completed for 100% of eligible employees annually or as per internal policy.
3. Zero adverse legal or labour findings related to HR processes.
Payroll, Attendance & HR Administration
1. Maintain accurate attendance, timesheets, leave, and overtime records.
2. Coordinate payroll inputs with Finance and ensure accuracy of data.
3. Ensure statutory deductions (NSSF, NHIF, PAYE) are correctly processed and submitted.
4. Maintain complete and accurate employee files and HR documentation.
KPI's
1. 100% accurate payroll inputs submitted by agreed deadlines each payroll cycle.
2. Minimal to Zero payroll-related complaints due to HR data errors per quarter.
3. Statutory deductions submitted accurately and on time every month.
Compliance, Health & Safety Support
1. Ensure HR policies comply with Kenyan employment legislation and company standards.
2. Support labour inspections, audits, and statutory reporting.
3. Coordinate workplace health and safety initiatives in collaboration with H&S Officers.
4. Support PPE compliance, safety inductions, and incident reporting processes.
KPI's
1. Ensure HR policies comply with Kenyan employment legislation and company standards.
2. Support labour inspections, audits, and statutory reporting.
3. Coordinate workplace health and safety initiatives in collaboration with H&S Officers.
4. Support PPE compliance, safety inductions, and incident reporting processes.
Reporting & Documentation
1. Develop workforce, leave, training, and compliance reports as required.
2. Maintain accurate HR metrics and documentation for management review.
3. Provide HR data and insights to support operational and strategic decisions.
KPI's
1. Monthly HR reports submitted on time with 100% accuracy.
2. HR records maintained audit-ready at all times.
3. Management HR data requests responded to within 3 business days.
Maintain Relationships
To ensure the best practice and quality service delivery is provided within the scope of the organization’s operation, this position must have well developed networks and relationships within the organization and externally within the sector. This includes but is not limited to:
• Production Manager
• Quality & Compliance Officer
• Finance/Admin Team
• Operations Team
• Health & Safety Officer
• Marketing Team
• Production Staff
• Contractors
• Other services or external providers
Work, Health and Safety
The role has the responsibility for observing and complying with all Work, Health and Safety (WHS) activities. This is inclusive of:
o being responsible for their own and other’s safety.
o contributing to a safe and healthy workplace for staff and identifying and reporting potential workplace hazards.
o avoiding adversely affecting the health and safety of any other staff member through any act or omission at work.
o properly using equipment provided for WHS purposes.
o complying with any reasonable direction given in relation to health and safety at work.
o complying with WHS policies and procedures.
o identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing procedures for controlling risk.
o applying procedures for dealing with incidents and emergency events.
o maintaining appropriate workplace safety records.
Corporate Responsibilities/Requirements
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviours and commits to representing the organization in line with its values.
• Participate in both professional development opportunities and performance development processes as required.
• Adhere to the organizational policies and procedures.
• To hold valid and updated clearances, qualifications, police checks and other relevant certifications and licenses.
Skills, Qualification and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Must be a registered member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM), Kenya.
• Must possess a valid IHRM certification and be in good standing.
• Strong knowledge of Kenyan labour laws, employment regulations, and HR best practices.
• Excellent leadership, critical thinking, innovation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple teams and manage confidential information.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead a Finance function and supervise admin and finance teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
To Apply
Please share your Application via email to jacqueline@kenvado.com