Louisa Choice

Experience

• 

  Prestige Clothing

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  Human Resources Manager

  Responsibility for the full HR Function, including developing and implementing policies & procedures, contracts of employment, performance appraisals as part of performance management.Recruitment: Advertising of positions, interviews, reference checks, induction programmes, drafting contracts and letters of appointment, formulating job descriptions.Training: Coordinate and manage all training initiatives including, the NQF Level 2 Learnership Programme, CTFL SETA grants and mandatory submissions.Labour Relations: Together with a CCMA Commissioner, conduct all Disciplinary enquiries at the company, prepare for Conciliations and Arbitrations, full responsibility of counseling sessions and other disciplinary functions, liaison with the union SACTWU.Health and Safety: Chairmen of the company Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Hold monthly meetings and ensure H&S is in check. We scored 99% for our annual Ethical Audit by Woolworths in 2007. Bargaining Council: I was voted onto the Exemption Committee of the Clothing Industry Bargaining Council as an Associate Employer Representative from 2006, I was voted onto the Chamber Committee of the Clothing Industry Bargaining Council as an Employer Representative from 2006, I was voted onto the Health Care Fund Committee of the Clothing Industry Bargaining Council as an Employer Representative from 2006. Employment Equity and BEE: Completion of annual EEA2 and EEA4 Reports, compile all BEE initiatives and proof thereof for accreditation. In 2007 Prestige Clothing was accredited, by NERA (National Empowerment Rating Agency), with a BBBEE Level 2 Certificate. Other: Maintain employee personal files, VIP staff maintenance, facilitate employee loan applications, co-ordinate company Debt Reduction Programme, facilitate “Suggestion Box” initiative, provide HR guidance and advice to Production Executives, Team Leaders and Employees, Formulate and update company benefits and HR Strategic Plan with CEO on an annual basis. Show less

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  Singita

  Jan 2008 - now

  Singita is dedicated to environmentally conscious hospitality, sustainable conservation and the empowerment of local communities. Singita is the trusted guardian of a million acres of pristine land in Africa and responsible for successful community development projects, making a tangible difference in the lives of the people living and working in and around its lodges. Singita proudly operates 12 lodges and camps, each a unique experience in its own right, in five regions across three countries in Africa. The key purpose of the General Manager, Human Resources, is to provide strategic input to Singita as to the management of its people as well as to practically carry out HR operational job tasks. HR guidance and support is provided to ensure staff are managed in accordance with the Singita way and also in terms of employment law. Show less Full HR function for the Singita head office, Singita Management Company. HR support and guidance to the Singita properties. The core purpose of my current position is supportive and relates to assisting the company and its managers to employ and manage staff in a way which ensures excellent levels of service, productivity and staff job satisfaction. The primary purpose of my position is to ensure that the critical personnel structure is in place, effective and standardised on each Singita property (5 lodges in South Africa, 1 lodge in Zimbabwe and 6 loges in the Serengeti, Tanzania). This relates to the HR policies and procedures, staff benefits, job profiles, HR related forms etc; and that the Payroll – HR relationship is effective in ensuring salaries paid are accurate and timeously administered. The company has legal and other obligations relative to its staff and I ensure Singita is at minimum compliant but aiming to over-achieve on the minimum requirements.I also provide guidance to Singita management on all matters of concern or interest pertaining to the employment of company staff. Facilitating effective recruitment of staff. In addition, practical assistance is rendered with the recruitment of key staff at the lodges and the CT Office.I am also responsible to assist the company manage its human resources from a strategic perspective by monitoring key HR Indicators; reporting on the company’s Climate Survey on each property and ensuring that concerns and insights so highlighted are shared with relevant people, for their action; and ensuring that staff well-being is protected in terms of key staff benefits: medical aid, provident fund, life and other. Support is also provided to the Singita CT managers in terms of their HR requirements, including the co-coordinating various meetings; planning of salary increases and performance reviews. Show less Devise all HR policies & procedures, job profiles, performance review forms, job grading documents, employment contracts, training manuals, induction manuals, departmental structures, and ensure easy access of the information by managers and staff utilizing the most effective mechanisms.Research Singita salaries in relation to market related surveys. Oversee and provide guidance to the payroll department.Participating in various HR related meetings aimed at ensuring excellence/sharing of best practice and standardization across properties. Ensure the company is legally compliant. Ensure Lodge HR Managers and Lodge mgt/HOD’s are fully up to date as regards the legal requirements.Manage and oversee the company’s relationship with Recruitment agencies and hospitality training institutions. Manage and ensure the full recruitment process at Head Office.Provide real-time HR guidance to Lodge HR Managers and GM’s.Guidance and decision making regards all Union activity, CCMA hearings, Labour Court set downs and all other IR issues.Manage the employee wellness programme. Monthly Strategic HR Report; distribute the report to all concerned; and alert the company to any deviations from the ideal situation.Ensuring that the company Medical Aid, Provident Fund, Disability and other people-related insurances are administered in a sound manner.Report on staff climate surveys. Monitor the Community Development Trust income and expenditure and communicate the relevant information to those so involved.Provide strategic input to the Group HR Manager as regards the management of our people.Ensure staff are managed according to the Singita Way (our Company culture).Ensure that the Company is correctly staffed according to and in line with budgets. Preparation of the Head Office HR budget and overseeing the HR Lodge budgets are in line with the strategic goals of the HR department.Together with the Group HR Manager, preparation of the departments strategic annual goals. Show less

  • Head of People

    Aug 2024 - now

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    Jan 2017 - Aug 2024

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    Jan 2015 - Dec 2016

  • Assistant Group HR & Community Development Manager

    Jan 2008 - Dec 2014