At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the end-to-end associate experience across Northern Europe, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
- Company: Join Royal Canin, a purpose-driven company dedicated to making a better world for pets.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and access to Mars University for learning and development.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment across six countries with diverse talented associates.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative HR role that genuinely impacts people and their experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience with a focus on continuous improvement and digital savvy.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
At Royal Canin, our purpose is to make a better world for pets.
We’re a business built on science, passion and genuine belief that what we do changes lives – for cats, dogs, and the people who love them.
It’s why our people care beyond their job description, why belonging here feels different, and why Royal Canin attracts people who want to be part of something that is meaningful.
We’re ambitious, growing, and transforming – and North Europe is at the heart of that.
We’re building the number one Associate Experience across six countries, embedding AI into how we work, and treating the people agenda like a product that gets better every single day.
This is not a traditional HR role.
It’s for someone who thrives on continuous improvement, acts like a business leader, and cares deeply about people.
We’re looking for a HR Associate Experience Lead, based in the UK, to partner with our HR Director and own the end‑to‑end associate experience across North Europe.
The cluster is a complex market – fast growing, legislatively demanding, and full of opportunity.
You’ll be the HR heartbeat while connecting into and shaping the broader cluster agenda.
If you’re commercially curious as much as people‑curious, hungry to drive continuous improvement, quick to build relationships in diverse and complex environments, and someone who genuinely thrives on getting things done – this might be the role you’ve been waiting for.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the Associate Experience
- Own the end‑to‑end associate experience across North Europe – from the moment someone accepts an offer to the moment they leave. As a designer, an improver, and an owner.
- Treat every touchpoint – onboarding, performance, development, engagement, recognition, off‑boarding – as a product to be continuously improved, not a process to be administered.
Use data to find the friction, AI tools to remove it, and your relationships with line managers to make the improvement stick.
- Partner with and coach line managers to lead their teams with confidence, empathy, and consistency, ensuring people policies are applied fairly and effectively.
- Know the business as well as you know the people
- Be deeply connected to what’s happening in the business – the category, the competitors, the retail and veterinary ecosystem, the numbers that matter.
- Use organisational health data to make a difference – turning retention trends, engagement signals and capability gaps into targeted plans with real outcomes – measured, tracked and course‑corrected.
- Lead change
- Lead the people workstream on transformation programmes, build change plans, and make sure what gets designed at the centre of expertise (Co E) lands in six different markets.
- Bring a working knowledge of employment legislation across the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland – not as a compliance function, but as a commercial advantage.
- Use digital to work differently – and bring others with you
- Pro‑actively use digital & AI tools to improve how the P&O function works – finding smarter ways to analyse data, surface insights, personalise the associate experience, and remove the manual work that gets in the way of the work that matters.
- Be curious enough to experiment, brave enough to try things that haven’t been done before, and bring line managers and associates with you on the journey.
Qualifications
- Proven progressive HR experience, with real ownership of recurring programmes.
- A product or continuous‑improvement mindset: spot where something’s underperforming and improve it.
- Digitally savvy and genuinely comfortable with data – use it to track organisational health and inform decisions.
- Comfortable building and running simple tracking and planning systems.
- Experience translating centrally‑designed programmes into local execution, ideally across multiple countries.
- Sound working knowledge of employment legislation across multiple countries, confidently applied in both casework and change or transformation contexts.
- Preferred Experience
- Experience in a program or project management capacity, alongside HR/P&O experience.
- Experience leading or contributing to organisational transformation or change programmes.
- Experience working across multiple countries or a multi‑site cluster.
Benefits
- Work with diverse talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
- Join a purpose‑driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
HR Associate Experience Lead - Northern Europe employer: Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
At Mars, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions the voice of the Pet Parent. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through best-in-class learning opportunities, including access to Mars University, and a competitive salary and benefits package. Join us in a purpose-driven environment where your contributions directly impact pet parent trust and advocacy, all while working alongside a diverse team dedicated to making a difference.
Contact Details:
Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Associate Experience Lead - Northern Europe
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates!
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We think you need these skills to ace HR Associate Experience Lead - Northern Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
