HR Specialist - Ballarat

Position Title:HR Specialist - Ballarat
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 44692
About the role .
As HR Specialist, you will provide hands‑on, site‑based HR support across key people processes at our Ballarat plant. Working closely with leaders and employees, this role supports employee experience, talent processes, employee relations, and lifecycle activities while contributing to McCain's Winning Culture strategy.
This is an on‑site role and forms part of the local plant HR team, with strong connection to the broader HR Specialist community of practice.
What you'll be doing.

• Partner with leaders and employees to manage employee relations matters, including investigations, corrective actions, and appeals
• Support labour relations and employee relations activities aligned with local legislation and McCain policies
• Deliver end ‑ to ‑ end support for high ‑ volume recruitment and internal hiring processes in partnership with Talent Acquisition
• Coordinate and execute effective onboarding experiences for new team members
• Manage in ‑ scope employee lifecycle activities, including voluntary and involuntary separations
• Administer employee leave of absence processes, working closely with external vendors and HR systems
• Support employee engagement, wellbeing, and retention initiatives at site level
• Share insights and trends with stakeholders to improve HR service delivery
• Promote adoption of HR systems and self ‑ service tools in line with the HR operating model
• Contribute to HR programs, projects, and initiatives that strengthen McCain's culture

What you'll need to be successful.

• 1-3 years' experience in an HR Generalist or similar HR role
• Tertiary qualification in Human Resources or a related field (preferred)
• Sound understanding of employment legislation, policies, and HR practices
• Experience supporting employee relations and lifecycle activities
• Strong relationship ‑ building, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Confidence working with HR systems and digital tools
• Strong attention to detail with a practical, solutions ‑ focused mindset.

About the team .
You'll be part of the plant‑based HR team, supporting operational leaders and employees while collaborating closely with the HR Business Partner, Service Delivery teams, and the wider HR community. This role plays an important part in delivering consistent, people‑focused HR support locally while aligning to regional and global HR frameworks.
About McCain .
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles .
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
AI & Digital Capabilities
At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture
The McCain experience .
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
#LI-IT1, #LI-Onsite
*We've got this covered! No external agency support required and unsolicited CVs will not be considered.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here .
Job Family: Human Resources
Location(s): AU - Australia : Victoria : Ballarat
Company: McCain Foods (Aust) Pty.