HRBP Africa

Noatum Logistics, part of AD Ports Group, is a global leader in logistics, freight forwarding, and supply chain management, recognized for delivering integrated, high‑value solutions to customers worldwide. With a robust presence across 27 countries and specialized capabilities spanning Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Road & Rail, Customs Brokerage, Contract Logistics, Cold Chain, and Project Cargo, we combine technical excellence with deep industry expertise to support some of the world’s most demanding sectors—including Fashion & Retail, High Tech, Automotive, Mining, Energy, Defense, and Pharma.

As a client‑centric logistics operator, our teams of onsite experts design and execute tailored end‑to‑end supply chain solutions that drive operational efficiency, resilience, and commercial growth. Our reputation for service excellence and specialized know‑how has positioned us as a trusted partner for global and regional companies navigating complex and evolving logistics environments.

With our footprint expanding rapidly across the African continent—a region central to our long‑term growth strategy—we are now seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands‑on HR Business Partner to join our Regional HR Team. This is a unique opportunity for a senior HR Business Partner with strong multi‑country African experience to shape the people agenda, build organizational capability, and partner with business leaders to accelerate Noatum Logistics’ growth across one of our most dynamic regions.

Although the position is initially assigned to the Africa region, the role will first be based in Abu Dhabi and may later require relocation to one of our offices in Africa.

At Noatum Logistics, we guarantee equal opportunities and non-discrimination based on sex, gender, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation in our selection processes. Our goal is to maximize people’s talents in all their diversity while eliminating any form of discrimination.

Role Purpose:

The Manager – HR Business Partner (Africa) is a commercially sharp HR leader with deep understanding of freight forwarding economics and multi-jurisdictional HR operations. This role partners closely with the Regional MD, Country Leadership Teams, and the Noatum Logistics Corporate HR function to translate business strategy into a forward‑looking people agenda. The HRBP will ensure organizational capability, leadership strength, workforce planning, cultural alignment, and governance discipline to support accelerated organic growth and seamless M&A integration across Africa.

This position requires a dual capability: strategic advisor and hands‑on HR operator, thriving in a complex, dynamic, and diverse operating environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Regional Managing Director and Africa Leadership Team.
• Develop and execute a regional HR strategy aligned with global People & Culture frameworks and business objectives.
• Lead organizational design supporting product vertical growth and country expansion.
• Support major business transformation programs (digitalization, automation, operational excellence).
• Drive workforce planning in alignment with the commercial pipeline.

2. Talent Management & Leadership Development

• Partner with the NL Talent team to build succession pipelines for critical leadership roles.
• Ensure performance management rigor and alignment to operational and financial KPIs.
• Develop leadership capability programs specific to logistics, freight forwarding, and project cargo environments.
• Implement talent acquisition strategies for high‑growth markets and specialized verticals.
• Strengthen onboarding and retention frameworks across competitive African markets.

3. Organizational Effectiveness & Change Management

• Support restructuring initiatives aligned with growth and margin improvement objectives.
• Play a key role in M&A processes—due diligence, cultural assessment, workforce integration, and policy harmonization.
• Lead change management initiatives during systems rollouts and process transformations.
• Standardize HR practices while respecting local regulatory and cultural nuances.

4. Employee Relations & Governance

• Ensure compliance with local labour laws in all African operating countries.
• Proactively mitigate employee relations risks in warehouse, transport, and project logistics environments.
• Oversee investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures.
• Uphold ethical and compliance standards aligned with ADPG and Noatum policies.
• Collaborate closely with Legal and Compliance on regulatory and statutory matters.

5. Compensation, Rewards & Cost Management

• Oversee competitive and equitable compensation structures.
• Drive workforce cost optimization and monitor manpower cost development.
• Support incentive design tied to operational and commercial performance.

6. HR Operations & Systems

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll governance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Promote data integrity and reporting accuracy within HR systems.
• Support the rollout and adoption of global HRIS platforms.
• Develop and maintain HR dashboards and analytics for informed decision‑making.

7. Culture & Engagement

• Lead employee engagement initiatives across diverse cultural environments.
• Promote a performance-driven, customer‑centric culture aligned with global values.
• Support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives tailored to African markets.

8. Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to the evolution of Noatum’s global People Strategy.
• Partner with Regional HR and business leaders to drive group-wide people programs.

At Noatum Logistics, we guarantee equal opportunities and non-discrimination based on sex, gender, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation in our selection processes. Our goal is to maximize people’s talents in all their diversity while eliminating any form of discrimination.

• 
  Education
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional certifications (SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, CIPD) are an advantage.

Languages

• Excellent command of English; additional languages are a plus.

Experience

• 10–15 years of HR experience.
• Minimum 4 years in a senior HRBP role.
• Experience in global logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain, or industrial sectors strongly preferred.
• Strong exposure to multi-country HR operations across Africa.
• Proven experience in post‑M&A integration.
• Prior experience supporting P&L leaders in a matrix structure.