At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the end-to-end associate experience across Northern Europe, driving continuous improvement.
- 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 with diverse teams across multiple countries.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative HR role that genuinely impacts people's lives and experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, digital savvy, and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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, we're growing, and we're 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.
What will be your key responsibilities?
- Own the end-to-end associate experience across North Europe - from the moment someone accepts an offer to the moment they leave.
- Treat every touchpoint - onboarding, performance, development, engagement, recognition, offboarding - 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.
- 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 the people workstream on transformation programmes, build change plans, and ensure what gets designed at the centre of expertise (CoE) 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.
- 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.
What are we looking for?
Essential:
- Proven progressive HR experience, with real ownership of recurring programmes.
- A product or continuous-improvement mindset: you spot where something's underperforming and improve it.
- Digitally savvy and genuinely comfortable with data - you 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.
What can you expect from Mars?
- 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.
HR Associate Experience Lead - Northern Europe employer: Mars
Mars in Melton Mowbray is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ample opportunities for career advancement, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while working with state-of-the-art technology in the FMCG sector.
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!
✨Make Your Presence Known
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!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Mars.
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. 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 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. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Mars'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
✨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.
✨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 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 and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
