Senior Human Resources Advisor

Patties Food Group; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive, values-led environment

Opportunities to build capability

Flexibility for work-life balance

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Adelaide is seeking a Senior Human Resources Advisor to provide comprehensive HR support. This hands-on generalist role involves managing recruitment, employee lifecycle, and engagement initiatives within a dynamic workplace. The ideal candidate has strong HR experience, knowledge of legislation, and exceptional communication skills. This role offers flexibility in working hours while making a meaningful impact at the site level.

Qualifications

• Proven operational HR generalist experience, preferably in FMCG.
• Strong working knowledge of recruitment, employee relations, and safety.
• Ability to manage workplace investigations and liaise with unions.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills.
• Return to Work Coordinator qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end recruitment including job ads and offer negotiations.
• Implement programs to enhance employee engagement and culture.
• Coordinate workforce planning and change management.
• Learning & development: oversee planning and capability-building initiatives.
• Workforce planning & change: coordinate org design, retention and change management.
• ER/IR & compliance: advise on awards, contracts and legislation.
• Investigations & union liaison: support investigations and liaise with unions and external advisors.
• Health, safety & wellbeing: partner with OH&S on wellbeing initiatives.

Skills

Operational HR experience

Excellent communication

Coaching capability

Knowledge of employment legislation

Staff development

People coaching

Education

Degree qualification in HR or related discipline

Job description

Patties Food Group is a value-led organisation with a rich Australian history, home to iconic brands including Four’N Twenty, Patties, Herbert Adams, Nanna’s, Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers and On the Menu. Our values of Trust, Ownership, Courage and Integrity guide how we work—backing our people, doing what’s right, and delivering on what we say.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of People and based in Adelaide, the Senior Human Resources Advisor will lead the delivery of end-to-end HR support for the site. This is a hands‑on generalist role partnering with the Senior Management Group, managers and employees to build a safe, engaged and high‑performing workplace—while ensuring strong compliance with relevant industrial relations laws and employment requirements.

This role is available on a flexible basis

This role is available on a flexible basis — for example 3‑4 days per week or school hours across 5 days (by agreement). We’re open to discussing what flexibility looks like for the right person. However, a hybrid approach is not suitable.

Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Recruitment & selection: Manage end‑to‑end recruitment including job ads, position descriptions, interviewer coaching, contracts, offer negotiation and reference checks.
• Employee lifecycle: Induction/onboarding (including timely payroll inputs), performance reviews, grievances, performance management and exit management.
• Engagement & culture: Implement programs that strengthen engagement and foster a high‑performance culture; monitor site culture to support business goals and employee satisfaction.
• Learning & development: Oversee performance and development planning and recommend initiatives that build capability and business results.
• Workforce planning & change: Coordinate workforce planning, org structure, job design, succession planning, retention and change management—ensuring stakeholder engagement and clear communication.
• ER/IR & compliance: Provide professional HR advice including award/contract interpretation; monitor IR changes and ensure site compliance with relevant legislation and reporting requirements; liaise with payroll on employment conditions changes.
• Investigations & union liaison: Support and coach managers on conduct, behaviour and grievances; undertake/manage workplace investigations; liaise with unions and external IR/legal advisors as required.
• Health, safety & wellbeing: Partner with the OH&S Coordinator to support wellbeing and a proactive safety culture through initiatives, programs and strategies.

The Person

You’re an experienced, practical HR generalist who builds trust quickly, navigates complexity with sound judgement, and can confidently coach leaders through people matters. You’re also comfortable working in a site‑based environment and balancing priorities in a fast‑paced operation.

You’ll bring:

• Degree qualification in HR (or related discipline) or equivalent experience.
• Proven operational HR generalist experience (FMCG or similar desirable).
• Strong working knowledge of employment legislation, compensation, recruitment, employee relations, safety, engagement and development.
• Excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills, with a strong ethical mindset and proven coaching capability.
• Return to Work Coordinator qualification (preferred, not required).

What We Offer You

At Patties, our people matter. You’ll join a supportive, values‑led environment where you can make a real impact at site level, with opportunities to build capability, strengthen culture and drive meaningful outcomes—with flexibility to support work‑life balance.