Head of HR

Positio

Position: Head of HR

Location: Evanston, Il

Reporting to: HR Director, Ornua Foods & Ingredients Divisions (based in Ireland) with a dotted line to the President, OFNA (Evanston based)

About Ornua

Ornua is an Irish dairy co-operative that markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its Member Co-operatives, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, the 14,000 Irish dairy farming families we represent. Our purpose is central to how we operate, critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products and has annualised sales of €3.4 billion. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has a strong global team of 2,800 employees, operating from 10 business units worldwide, including 12 production facilities. Ornua’s core purpose is to build profitable routes to market for Irish dairy products.

The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands, including Ireland’s most successful food export, Kerrygold, as well as Kerrygold Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO milk powders. Markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, Germany and the UK and by in-market Sales and Marketing teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe, and North and Latin America.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products, for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world, and for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in the UK, Spain, the US, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua Foods North America is headquartered in Evanston, IL with additional teams located throughout the US.  The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter, cheese and powders.

The North America division is a powerhouse within Ornua, with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged, highly inclusive, and high-performing team that, together, have delivered double-digit, profitable growth on the business for the last twenty years.

Job Summary:

The Head of HR will play an active role on the Ornua Foods North America (OINA) Leadership Team to help shape strategy, people, and process to enable delivery of business objectives. This individual will also oversee the implementation of the Group People Strategy in Ornua Foods North America.  The successful candidate will also partner with the HR Director, Ornua Foods & Ingredients Divisions to develop fit-for-purpose local people strategies on talent, compensation and benefits.  Lastly, this individual will advise on people and leadership matters and oversee day-to-day operational HR activity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be a trusted advisor to the President, the Executive Team and key senior leaders throughout OFNA, driving the people agenda and strategy and discussing people and leadership issues they, or the wider business, is experiencing. Play an active and pivotal role on the Ornua Foods North America Leadership Team, helping to shape strategy, org design and structure, and process to enable delivery of business objectives.
• Play a key contributory role to business success as a member of the Ornua Foods North America Executive Team, with a particular focus on delivering same through the activation of the People Strategy. Activate the Ornua Group People strategy within Ornua Foods North America. 
• In conjunction with the Talent Acquisition and Development teams, oversee the acquisition and development of talent at all levels, ensuring a strong and ongoing pipeline of high-performing talent for the business. 
• Build the Ornua Foods North America employer brand and ensure it is clearly articulated and communicated, internally and through all relevant external channels.
• Advise on succession planning for the most critical roles, delivering a framework and process for same.
• In conjunction with the HR Director, Ornua Foods and Ingredients Divisions, the Global Reward Team and the President of OFNA, manage fit for purpose compensation and reward strategies.
• Ensure OFNA offers a competitive and attractive suite of benefits and oversee compliance and reporting on same.  In conjunction with our brokers and counterparts in Ornua Ingredients North America, manage the annual benefits re-negotiation and renewal and the subsequent open enrolment process, ensuring rigor is applied to the cost management of benefit offerings.
• Own the annual HR budgeting and headcount planning process, tracking the progress of same throughout the year.
• Oversight of bi-weekly payroll and annual bonuses for eligible employees.
• Manage the local operation of Ornua’s performance management process, advising and guiding people managers and employees on same.
• Promote a cohesive and collaborative culture through employee inclusiveness, engagement and communications initiatives.
• Promote and champion a full and engaging wellness program for all employees.

Key Requirements:

• Min. 8 years of corporate HR experience
• A clear understanding of how to enable business success through the mobilization of talent
• Ability to navigate global, matrixed environments and successfully manage ambiguity
• Employee relations experience preferred
• Clear and engaging communication skills, both verbal and written
• The ability to influence, coach and challenge as appropriate
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Flexible and can-do attitude
• Solid experience with HRIS systems and platforms

What You’ll Gain:

• A high-impact role to own the people plan for OFNA with overall responsibility for the people capability to deliver the OFNA strategy

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The salary range for this role is $138k to $177k and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS – Tuesday 26th August