Group HR Manager

Company Overview

Founded in 1992, Applegreen is a prominent convenience roadside retailer operating in Ireland, the UK, and the US. The company manages over 430 Motorway Service Plazas and fuel stations internationally, generating annual revenues exceeding €4 billion and employing more than 17,000 people. Currently, Applegreen is undergoing rapid expansion and seeks to appoint a Group HR Manager to enhance HR services and employee experience across all corporate segments.

Role Summary

This permanent position involves partnering with Group and EV teams, supporting recruitment, employee lifecycle management, and contributing to HR projects. Reporting to the Group Head of People, the role requires a driven, adaptable, and confident HR professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and embraces a hands-on methodology. The successful candidate will have long-term growth potential within the organization.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage the complete recruitment process for Group and EV roles, advising hiring managers and determining optimal recruitment strategies (direct, agency, or combined).
• Maintain and optimize relationships with recruitment agencies, ensuring preferred supplier lists are current and provide maximum value.
• Generate and analyze recruitment KPIs such as time to hire, quality of hire, and cost per hire.
• Update and enhance interview training materials to align with best practices and support interview processes as needed.
• Oversee recruiting budgets for head office and contribute to overall HR budget planning.
• Manage all facets of the employee lifecycle including onboarding, contracts, employee relations, performance management, and exit processes; conduct exit interviews and follow-up action plans.
• Provide operational HR advice fostering a positive employee relations culture and uphold HR excellence across the Group.
• Collaborate with HR and business partners in the UK and US to ensure consistent employee experiences.
• Lead and contribute to key HR initiatives, including Wellbeing and Inclusion & Diversity events, supporting overall business strategy execution.

Candidate Profile

• Honours degree in Human Resources or related fields such as Employment Law, Business, or Organisational Development; postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
• Minimum 5-7 years HR experience, including at least 2-3 years in management roles.
• CIPD qualification and/or membership strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of employment law and HR systems is desirable.
• Strong project management skills demonstrated through previous HR project delivery.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Dynamic and adaptable with a capacity to work under tight deadlines in a fast-growing environment.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and execution skills with an ability to manage shifting priorities.
• Positive, solution-oriented attitude with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across all organizational levels.
• Self-motivated and a collaborative team player who can handle ambiguity and maintain composure under pressure.
• Sound judgment and logical decision-making ability.
• Leadership qualities with potential to be a culture role model within Applegreen.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and support out-of-hours activities as necessary.

Additional Information

Applicants should submit an up-to-date tailored CV (maximum two pages). The interview process will involve two rounds. The role involves direct contribution to business growth and developing a best-in-class HR service for Applegreen’s growing workforce.