Senior Human Resources Advisor in Adelaide

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— 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.