Head of Human Resources Department:Human Resources Reports to:Managing Director Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Location: On-site role based in Cork, Ireland SHORTROLEDESCRIPTION/PURPOSEOFROLE: The Head of Human Resources is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for shaping, driving, and executing the companys people strategy. This role provides strategic leadership across all aspects of HR, ensuring the organisation has the capabilities, culture, governance, and workforce needed to achieve its business objectives. The Head of Human Resources will lead the HR function, act as a trusted advisor to senior management and ensure the business operates with excellence, compliance and a high-performing workforce. ESSENTIALDUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development Develop and lead a progressive, multi-year HR strategy aligned with business objectives. Partner with senior leadership on organisational structure, workforce planning, and long-term capability development. Lead succession planning and talent development frameworks across the organisation. Drive initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, organisational culture, and employee experience. People Management & Culture Partner with departmental leaders to improve management effectiveness and employee engagement. Oversee complex employee relations matters and guide leaders through sensitive or high-risk issues. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Set the strategic direction for recruitment to ensure the organisation attracts and retains top talent. Oversee employer branding, workforce planning, and talent pipeline development. Ensure a structured, scalable onboarding process for all new hires. Performance, Learning & Development Lead the design and implementation of performance management frameworks and appraisal systems. Oversee development of annual training plans and ensure compliance across competency-based requirements. HR Governance & Systems Set HR governance standards and ensure adherence to regulatory, legal, and audit requirements. Maintain oversight of all HR data, records management, and operational processes. Ensure all HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook are robust, compliant, and up to date. Review and shape competitive compensation and benefits structures. Lead the selection, implementation, and optimisation of HRIS systems to support scalable growth. SKILLS/EXPERIENCEREQUIRED: Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; postgraduate qualification or CIPD Level 7 preferred Minimum 1215 years of progressive HR experience, including significant leadership experience in a senior HR role. Demonstrated experience influencing senior leadership and driving organisation wide people initiatives. Experience dealing with international payrolls. Strong capability in HR metrics, workforce analytics, and HRIS system leadership. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills Please send CVs or enquiries to Ken Cowley, Cowley Brown Recruitment Email Phone
Our Client Our client is a an engineering manufacturing company in Cork in Ireland, working in the pharmaceutical sector. Purpose Own production, supply chain, and quality performance, ensuring machines are built and tested safely, on time, and at target cost. Key responsibilities Lead Production, Supply Chain, Quality, HSE and Industrial Engineering (6S). Translate project demand into capacity plans, production schedules and resource plans. Drive on-time delivery to project milestones (assembly complete, FAT, shipment). Own supplier strategy (selection, performance reviews, dual-sourcing where needed). Ensure a robust QMS is in place (NCRs, audits, incoming and final inspection). Drive continuous improvement in lead time, productivity, layout and flow. Own HSE performance on the shop floor (safe systems of work, training, incident management). Success metrics On Time Delivery against key internal milestones (start build, FAT, shipment). Manufacturing cost vs standard / quoted cost (labour hours, material variance). Supplier on-time delivery and quality (number of critical supplier issues). Internal and external quality metrics (NCR rate, rework hours, customer complaints). HSE metrics (LTIs, near misses, audit scores, corrective action closure). Productivity measures for key processes. Requirements BSc in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline 10+ years of mechanical design experience in a fast-paced, project-based engineering or manufacturing environment is essential with a strong focus on leadership/ managerial experience Remuneration The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary & package Please apply to link below, and/or contact us for more information Skills: Automation Design Mechanical Engineering
