HR Business Partner

Mars Incorporated; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing program

Mars University access

Volunteer and ambassador programs

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Mars Snacking is seeking a strategic HR Business Partner to join our Ballarat factory and partner with the Factory Management Team to shape the site’s people strategy. You will drive organizational effectiveness, talent development, and associate engagement to support safe, efficient operations.

You will build strong relationships with senior leaders, navigate a unionized environment, and leverage data to guide influential people initiatives that align with business goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in an HRBP/HR Generalist role.
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and influence outcomes.
• Experience working within a unionized environment.
• Degree in HR or related field.

Responsibilities

• Partner with factory leadership to develop and implement people strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Coach Line Managers to lead high-performing, engaged teams in manufacturing.
• Support negotiations in a unionized environment to promote positive labour relations.
• Lead talent agenda including succession planning and capability building.
• Utilize people analytics to generate insights and drive data-backed strategies.
• Advocate for Associates and foster an inclusive culture.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Stakeholder engagement

People analytics

Union negotiations

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualification in HR

Job description

Mars Snacking is a global leader in snacking, backed by over a century of innovation and iconic brand-building. Powered by more than 50,000 Associates and over80 production facilities globally, our beloved snacks – spanning confectionary, salty, cereal, noodlesand frozen foods categories –are enjoyed in more than180 countries around the world.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has emerged to join Mars Snacking as a strategic HR Business Partner at our iconic Ballarat factory. As a key partner to the Factory Management Team, you will be the architect of our site's people strategy, translating business needs into tangible results.

This pivotal role is responsible for driving site performance and a thriving culture by focusing on organisational effectiveness, talent development, and Associate engagement. You will lead critical people initiatives to ensure the Ballarat site continues to be a safe, efficient, and great place to work, enabling it to meet its production and business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Partner with factory leadership to develop and implement people strategies that align with business objectives.

Coach and uplift the capability of Line Managers, equipping them to lead high-performing, engaged teams in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Develop strategies for and support negotiations in a unionized environment, promoting positive labour relations.

Lead the site's talent agenda, including succession planning and capability building, to foster a high-performance culture.

Utilize people analytics and operational data to generate insights and implement robust, data-backed people strategies.

Act as a key advocate for our Associates, fostering a fair, respectful, and inclusive culture.

What You Will Bring:

5+ years of progressive experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Generalist.

demonstrated experience in a manufacturing or similar industrial environment is essential.

Proven ability to build deep, trusted partnerships with senior leaders and influence strategic outcomes.

Experience working within a unionized environment.

Tertiary qualification or equivalent in HR or a related field.

What can you expect from Mars?

Genuine career progression with a focus on you and your career goals. Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

Global health and wellbeing program to support flexibility and work-life balance

Opportunity to make a difference with our volunteer and ambassador programs

A culture that offers collaboration, leadership and rewards you for the role you play within Mars

At Mars Snacking, take pride in your contribution in creating better moments for millions through our brands, to the way we source, make and market our products

About Us:

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We have been making products for people (and the pets that people love- we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses) for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, UNCLE BEN’S® and MASTERFOODS ® ROYAL CANIN®. We are committed to a sustainable tomorrow through our sustainable in a generation plan that addresses a healthy planet, thriving people and a nourishing wellbeing. Together, our 125,000+ Employees are inspired to take action every day towards the world we want tomorrow.

What we stand for:

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

Applications will only be accepted from candidates who have the appropriate approval to work in Australia and/or New Zealand.