Workday HCM Functional Specialist

Location: Leeds or Dublin

Shape How People Systems Work Across a Growing Organisation

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Workday HCM Functional Specialist to provide expert functional and technical support across our Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) platform.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of In Life Change for Finance, Supplier and Colleague Journeys, this role plays a key part in ensuring Workday delivers a seamless, efficient, and high-quality colleague experience across the business. You’ll act as a subject matter expert across key HR modules, working closely with HR, Payroll, IT, and operational teams to optimise processes, improve data quality, and ensure the system supports how the business really operates.

What You’ll Be Doing (and Why It Matters)

• Keep the system running and improving: Act as the go-to expert for Workday HCM — resolving issues, supporting users, and ensuring critical HR processes run smoothly.
• Own and optimise HR processes in Workday: Work across the full colleague lifecycle — from hire to retire, including absence, talent, performance, compensation, and learning ensuring processes are efficient and aligned to best practice.
• Configure and enhance the platform: Manage business processes, rules, security, and data structures — continuously improving how Workday supports the organisation.
• Support change and system evolution: Play a key role in enhancements, new functionality, and Workday releases — ensuring changes are well-tested, well-communicated, and successfully adopted.
• Turn data into meaningful insight: Work with reporting teams and HR leaders to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and supports better decision-making.
• Be the bridge between HR and technology: Translate system capability into clear, practical guidance — helping HR teams get the most from Workday day-to-day.

What Makes This Role Different

• You’re not just supporting a system — you’re improving how people processes work across the business.
• You’ll have real ownership across core HCM modules and configuration.
• You’ll work across HR, Payroll, IT, and Operations, giving you full visibility and impact.
• You’ll play a key role in ongoing transformation and continuous improvement, not just BAU support.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong hands-on experience configuring and supporting Workday HCM.
• A solid understanding of HR processes across the full employee lifecycle (H2R).
• Experience managing Workday configuration including business processes, security, reporting, and data loads.
• The ability to troubleshoot issues logically and improve system performance.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with non-technical HR teams.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Bonus points if you have Workday certifications, payroll integration knowledge, or experience in multi-country environments.

What Success Looks Like

• HR teams trust the system and rely on it.
• Issues are resolved quickly and don’t repeat.
• Processes become simpler, faster, and more efficient.
• Data quality improves across the platform.
• Workday continues to evolve in line with business needs.

Why join us

We’re building a more efficient, scalable, and digitally enabled organisation, with Workday at the centre of how we operate. This role gives you the opportunity to own a critical platform, influence how HR processes are delivered, and make a visible impact across the business.

About You

We are Panda. We value waste. We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste. Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together. We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward. We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make. And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing. Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact. Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.