HR Generalist – Plant Support (Maternity Cover)

About the role

The HR Generalist will provide comprehensive HR support to managers and employees at Sonoco’s Athy plant while covering a maternity leave period. This role acts as the first point of contact for all site‑level HR queries and ensures smooth delivery of recruitment, learning, employee relations and administrative services.

Key responsibilities

• Implement and monitor plant‑level HR procedures and corporate policies in partnership with the Regional HR Director.
• Advise managers on routine HR matters, legal requirements and ethical obligations, including disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Deliver end‑to‑end recruitment services: job approval, advertising, selection, candidate communication, onboarding and internal transfers.
• Manage employee exits, including retirements, resignations and terminations.
• Coordinate site training programmes to meet mandatory and business‑skill requirements, supporting managers with development discussions and performance plans.
• Maintain succession plans and talent mapping.
• Control HRIS data and employee files, produce regular HR metrics reports and ensure accurate payroll data in line with statutory procedures.
• Monitor absence trends, advise managers on absence policies and support long‑term absence cases with return‑to‑work assistance.
• Assist site leadership with performance and behaviour management and drive people‑manager programmes.
• Foster positive employee relations and act as the primary contact for HR queries.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an HR Generalist or HR Advisor, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Good knowledge of Irish employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to handle confidential information.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• Proactive attitude and capacity to work independently under tight timelines.

Required skills

• HRIS data management.
• Payroll processing and related statutory reporting.
• Recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Training coordination and delivery.