Short Intro and About the Job :
Permanent | Kiewa, Victoria | Leadership Opportunity
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Join Danone, a global leader in health-focused food and specialised nutrition
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Lead the people and culture agenda for one of our key manufacturing sites
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Partner with senior leaders to drive employee engagement, capability building and organisational performance
ABOUT THE ROLE
Danone is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Human Resources Manager - Operations to join our team at our Kiewa manufacturing site in Victoria. Reporting to the Head of HR, Danone Saputo Dairy Australia (DSDA), with a dotted line to the Plant Manager, you will play a pivotal role as a member of the Plant Leadership Team, driving people strategies that support business performance and organisational growth.
This is a highly visible business partnering role where you will lead the site's people agenda, provide trusted HR advice to leaders, and help create a positive, high-performing workplace culture. You will also lead a Site Administrator and work closely with stakeholders across Australia and New Zealand.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic HR Business Partnering
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Serve as a key member of the Kiewa Plant Leadership Team, contributing to the site's strategic direction and business objectives
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Partner with leaders to build organisational capability, strengthen culture and drive employee engagement
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Support organisational design, workforce planning and change initiatives
Employee & Industrial Relations
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Provide expert employee and industrial relations advice to managers and leaders
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Partner with leaders on performance management, disciplinary matters and employment separations
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Lead or support union engagement, enterprise bargaining activities and employee relations matters
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Ensure compliance with relevant Australian employment legislation and workplace policies
Talent, Learning & Development
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Support and lead talent review, succession planning and capability-building initiatives
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Identify and deploy learning solutions aligned to business needs and workforce development priorities
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Coach leaders on performance, career development, talent management and people leadership practices
Compensation & Benefits
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Facilitate annual salary review and bonus processes
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Provide market insights and advice on remuneration decisions, including new hires and internal appointments
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Support reward and recognition initiatives that drive engagement and retention
HR Operations & Continuous Improvement
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Ensure HR policies, processes and employee records are maintained accurately and effectively
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Drive continuous improvement of HR practices, systems and ways of working
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Provide insights through people reporting and workforce analytics to support business decision-making
Leadership
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Lead, coach and develop the Site Administrator
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Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture
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Champion Danone values, behaviours and people-first leadership practices
About You:
ABOUT YOU
You are a confident and pragmatic HR leader who enjoys working in a fast-paced operational environment. You combine strong employment relations expertise with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver practical people solutions.
Ideally, you will have:
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Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline
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Significant experience in a generalist HR Business Partner or HR Manager role
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Previous HR experience within a manufacturing, FMCG, industrial or operational environment
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Strong employee relations and industrial relations expertise
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Experience working with unions and supporting enterprise bargaining activities
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Proven capability in talent management, organisational development and leadership coaching
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Strong understanding of Australian employment legislation and HR best practice
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Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
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Ability to balance strategic thinking with a hands-on approach
About Us, We offer and What's next:
WE OFFER
At Danone, purpose and performance go hand in hand. We are committed to creating an environment where our people feel empowered, supported and inspired to do meaningful work while growing their careers.
What you can expect
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A strategic leadership role with genuine business impact
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Flexible ways of working that support work-life balance, including our Friday 3 PM finish
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A collaborative and purpose-driven culture where people come first
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Ongoing learning, development and career growth opportunities
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Exposure to regional and global stakeholders across the Danone network
Competitive total rewards
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Health, life and salary continuance insurance benefits
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26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave
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Annual salary reviews and performance-based incentives
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A comprehensive employee benefits program designed to support your wellbeing and financial security
HOW TO APPLY
If this role excites you and you're ready to make an impact, click Apply and submit your CV.
ABOUT US
At Danone, our mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Guided by our purpose of One Planet. One Health, we're proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ and a Great Place to Work®, creating positive impact for people, communities and the planet while fostering a culture where our people can thrive.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
