People Operations Advisor

Bunzl Ireland Limited; Dublin; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Save as you Earn Sharesave

35 days holiday

Pension & life assurance

Job summary

Bunzl Ireland Limited is seeking a People Operations Advisor to own a broad range of HR activities, including first-line manager support, employee relations, recruitment and employee lifecycle management across three Bunzl operating companies in Ireland.

The role focuses on practical HR guidance, case management, engagement, wellbeing, and HR system coordination within a fast-paced environment. CIPD qualifications and strong data skills are desirable.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ relevant HR or People Operations experience.
• Ability to provide practical first-line HR guidance to line managers.
• Experience with HR systems, case trackers, learning platforms and data-quality checks.

Responsibilities

• Act as the initial HR point of contact for manager queries and day-to-day people matters.
• Manage straightforward employee relations cases with appropriate support and escalation when needed.
• Coordinate onboarding, contractual changes, family leave, flexible working and leavers.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes from vacancy setup to onboarding.

Skills

HR advisory

Coaching managers

Data reporting

Policy application

Education

CIPD Level 3 or 5

Tools

MyLearning

HR systems

Excel reporting

Job description

People Operations Advisor – Bunzl Ireland (ROI)

Role Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who is ready to take the next step and gain broader exposure within an established global business. As People Operations Advisor, you will take ownership of a fast-paced and varied range of people activities, including first-line manager support, employee relations and case management, end-to-end recruitment, employee engagement and wellbeing, Learning Management System coordination and people data and reporting.

A key part of the role is providing practical first-line HR support to managers, giving clear policy and process guidance and coaching them through people related matters. You will manage employee relations cases under appropriate supervision, escalating more complex or higher risk matters to a Senior HR Manager. Working closely with Senior HR Managers, HR Shared Services and line managers, you will build your practical HR knowledge, develop your advisory and case-management capability, and gain broad HR experience across three Bunzl operating companies in Ireland.

Core Responsibilities

First-Line Management Support

• Act as the initial HR point of contact for manager queries and day-to-day people matters.
• Provide managers with clear, practical guidance on the application of people's policies, procedures and standard HR processes.
• Coach and upskill managers through routine people processes, building their confidence and capability to address issues appropriately.
• Support managers in preparing for employee meetings and conversations, including clarifying the process, documentation requirements and next steps.
• Advise managers on fair and consistent courses of action while ensuring managers retain responsibility for their decisions and implementation.
• Provide appropriate professional challenge where a proposed course of action is inconsistent with policy, process or expected management standards.
• Monitor agreed actions and timescales and follow up to support timely progress and resolution.
• Build trusted working relationships while maintaining objective professional judgement, confidentiality and consistent standards.
• Identify recurring manager queries or areas of uncertainty and recommend practical guidance, templates, communications or learning interventions.
• Recognise when an issue moves beyond routine first-line support and escalate it appropriately to a Senior HR Manager.

Employee Relations and Case Management

• Manage straightforward employee relations cases, including attendance, probation, performance and conduct matters, with appropriate support.
• Support managers through the relevant stages of people's processes, ensuring appropriate documentation and follow-up.
• Prepare letters, meeting packs, notes, and other case documentation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records and case trackers.
• Monitor open cases and agreed actions to support timely progression and resolution.
• Refer complex, sensitive, or higher risk matters to a Senior HR Manager.

People's Operations and Employee Lifecycle

• Coordinate employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, contractual changes, family leave, flexible working and leavers.
• Provide managers with clear guidance on their responsibilities and the information or approvals required at each stage.
• Liaise with HR Shared Services to ensure requests are complete, accurate, and progressed through the appropriate process.
• Support managers in using HR systems, standard processes, and available self-service channels.
• Manage competing priorities effectively within a busy operational HR environment.

Recruitment

• Manage the end-of-the-end recruitment process, from vacancy set up on the Applicant Tracking System through to offer and onboarding.
• Support line managers in defining role requirements and progressing recruitment activity in line with the agreed process.
• Guide managers through candidate management, shortlisting, interview arrangements and selection.
• Ensure recruitment activity and records are accurate, complete, and progressed in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with HR Shared Services, recruitment agencies, and other stakeholders as required.
• Monitor recruitment progress and flag delays, risks or incomplete actions to the relevant manager or Senior HR Manager.

Employee Engagement and Wellbeing

• Lead and coordinate employee engagement, wellbeing and support delivery if these initiatives across the relevant businesses.
• Support employee communications and encourage participation in engagement and wellbeing initiatives.
• Work with managers and the wider HR team to identify opportunities to improve employee engagement and participation.
• Monitor participation and outcomes and provide appropriate updates to the Senior HR Manager.

System Coordination

• Coordinate the day-to-day administration and management of the Bunzl UK & I Learning Management System (MyLearning)
• Support managers and employees with MyLearning queries and completion requirements.
• Monitor mandatory training completion and follow up on outstanding requirements.
• Maintain accurate learning records and produce training reports as required.
• Coordinate learning activity and support the administration of internal and external training programmes.

People Data and Reporting

• Collate and analyse people data relating to recruitment, absence, employee turnover, vacancies, probation completion, learning, and employee relations activity.
• Complete routine data-quality checks and identify missing, inconsistent or inaccurate information.
• Use people data to identify trends, exceptions, overdue actions and areas requiring attention.
• Present people information clearly to support appropriate management action.
• Support monthly reporting, audit activity, and ad hoc information requests.
• Highlight emerging trends or areas of concern to the Senior HR Managers.
• Provide regular reporting on recruitment, employee engagement, wellbeing, and learning activity.

Compliance and Process Support

• Monitor probation reviews, mandatory training and other agreed people controls.
• Review and monitor driver license check across Company car and Commercial vehicle.
• Support right-to-work checks, employment compliance requirements, and HR audit activity.
• Support the fair and consistent application of standard policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate process trackers, records, and operational controls.
• Ensure documentation and records meet internal governance, confidentiality, data-protection and retention requirements.
• Contributes to process simplification, automation, and appropriate manager self-service.
• Use Microsoft 365, automation and AI responsibly to reduce duplication, improve accuracy, and strengthen operational HR delivery within Bunzl policies.
• Work collaboratively with Senior HR Managers, HR Shared Services, Payroll, and other stakeholders to support clear ownership and effective hand-offs.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an HR professional with approximately 1-3 years' relevant HR or People Operations experience who is ready to broaden their exposure and take greater ownership of HR activity.

The successful candidate will ideally be:

• Comfortable providing practical first-line HR guidance directly to line managers.
• Able to coach managers while maintaining appropriate responsibilities and boundaries.
• Keen to develop practical employee relations and case-management experience.
• Able to apply policies and procedures fairly, consistently and objectively.
• Confident preparing accurate HR and case documentation.
• Comfortable working in a busy, fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.
• Confident working with people data, Excel reporting tools, and HR systems.
• Able to identify trends, gaps, inconsistencies, and overdue actions.
• Organised, accurate and able to follow activities through to completion.
• Proactive and willing to take ownership rather than simply process transactions.
• A clear and confident communicator with the judgement to provide constructive professional challenge.
• Capable of recognising when a matter needs escalation.
• Interested in developing broad HR experience across manager support, employee relations, recruitment, engagement, wellbeing, learning and HR operations.

The successful candidate will bring proven HR advisory experience, including independent ownership of routine employee relations cases covering attendance, conduct, performance and grievances, alongside a strong working knowledge of ROI employment law. With a service-focused, collaborative approach and strong written and verbal communication skills, you will be confident coaching managers, prioritising competing demands and assessing when matters require escalation, while ensuring fair and consistent case management.

Experience with HR systems, case trackers, learning platforms and data-quality checks would be an advantage, as would digital confidence and an interest in using automation and AI responsibly to improve HR delivery.

A CIPD Level 3 or Level 5 qualification, or a willingness to work towards CIPD accreditation, would also be desirable.

Why Join Us?

We're proud to be a Great Place to Work and Irish Centre for Diversity accredited employer, reflecting our commitment to creating an environment where people can thrive, contribute and build rewarding careers.

At Bunzl, your potential is unlimited. We encourage our colleagues to keep learning, take on new opportunities and shape a career that grows with their ambitions. Learn more here: https://www.bunzl.co.uk/#careers

Competitive salary with an annual bonus scheme.

Bunzl 'Save as you Earn' Sharesave scheme - buy Bunzl shares at a discounted price.

35 days holiday per annum (including public holidays) & holiday purchase scheme.

Additional 5 days service based holiday

Company personal pension plan with a life assurance scheme.

Comprehensive training, career development and advancement opportunities.

One day's paid time off per annum to undertake voluntary work.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds,

experiences, and perspectives. If you require any accommodation or adjustments during the application process, please let us know at application stage.