People Operations Specialist

Unilever is currently hiring for: People Operations Specialist

Function: Human Resources

Reports to: People Operations Lead

Scope: Local and Global PEX

Location: Durban, South Africa

Terms & Conditions: Full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

The People Operations Specialist is an expert in Workday employee data management and Hire-to-Retire processes, including onboarding, role changes, absences, and exits within the assigned market. Acting as Tier 1 in the Service Delivery Model, this role manages high-volume activities, resolves cases from ServiceNow, and ensures Workday remains accurate and up to date.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet. Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Workday Employee Data Management:

• Onboarding:

  • Set up Workday profiles for new hires from recruitment.

  • Generate required business letters and contracts.

  • Manage cancellations for declined offers or no-shows.

  • Support on completing joiner checklist steps.

• Role Changes/Promotions/Exits:

  • Process employee moves, promotions, and exits in Workday, ensuring data accuracy across elements (i.e. cost center).

  • Coordinate case closure with stakeholders and in-market partners.

  • Initiate EIB uploads for mass data changes.

  • Provide Workday data support to stakeholders as required.

• Pay & Benefits Management:

  • Collaborate to maintain accurate compensation data into payroll systems.

  • Support of enrolment and derolment of benefits, including coordination across journeys to ensure OTIF processing.

  • Process HR-related purchase orders.

• Exit Management:

  • Execute voluntary and involuntary employee terminations in Workday (steps that are not self-served).

  • Collaborate with in-market partners for seamless exits and clearances.

  • Handle severance administration.

• Effective Systems Integration:

• Manage integration between Joiner-Mover-Leaver processes and Workday (automated/manual triggers).

• Create and update local SOPs and work instructions.

• Proactively flag technical issues to relevant stakeholders to mitigate employee experience disruptions.

Additional Responsibilities (Market-Specific, As Required):

• Generate reports, analytics, and audits for validation purposes.

• Serve as a point of contact for projects and support on continuous improvement initiatives.

• Maintain Governance piece for their area of responsibility – including updating of SOPs and Change management to the team

• Verifying salary impacting/pay letters daily, keeping a record of errors and working with line managers to correct with fellow team members.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

• Minimum 2-5 years proven experience in customer service, employee experience, shared service centers, HR advisory, HR partnering.

• Familiarity with HR processes and policies, ideally in multi-country or regional operations.

• Proficiency in Workday and ServiceNow (or similar systems like SAP).

SKILLS

• Required proficiency in English

• Understanding of Agile ways of working – using Gantt Charts, SCRUM.

• Strong written communication skills, capable of delivering clear and concise real-time information

• Providing consistent feedback and stakeholder management

• Advanced Excel proficiency and ability to turn data into action.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and customer-centric mindset.

• Demonstrated multitasking and prioritization skills in fast-paced environments.

• Commitment to quality, accuracy and adherence to SLAs.

• Effective team collaboration across global hubs/locations.

• Effective Project Management skills, understanding of Gantt Charts and similar project management tools.

• Adaptability to new technologies and systems.

BEHAVIORS
You are energized by delivering with excellence, taking personal ownership through building resilience and taking care of your own wellbeing. You are relentless on prioritization and focusing on what counts, making maximum performance impact in areas you touch. You are constantly staying three steps ahead on ways to do things differently, interpreting data, spotting issues and opportunities; whilst caring deeply about what Consumer and Customers need.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country, and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is an office-based role in Durban and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.