Conor Merrick

HR and Talent Acquisition professional with 6+ years' experience across Ireland, the UK, the US, and Australia, supporting recruitment, workforce planning, and employee relations in manufacturing environments.

Experience partnering with leaders on headcount growth, compliance, onboarding, and HR process improvement across multi-site operations.

Senior Recruitment Consultant - EWS Recruitment - Melbourne, Australia

(2024-11 - 2026-01)

Progressed from Recruitment Consultant to Senior Recruitment Consultant within 6 months, reflecting strong delivery in high-volume hiring and client support.

• Partnered with site managers and project leads to scope workforce requirements across multiple sites and align hiring activity to operational timelines.
• Managed high-volume workforce requirements across multiple sites, balancing competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced recruitment setting.
• Ensured all workers met compliance requirements including right-to-work checks, certifications, and site-specific standards.
• Advised clients on hiring approaches, candidate suitability and market conditions to support effective decision making.
• Acted as defacto HR Advisor due to the small nature of the EWS team, and lack of dedicated in house HR team.
• Advised on internal policy queries, disciplinaries, and led weekly team meetings in absence of senior management.

Talent Acquisition Specialist - Ornua Co-Operative Ltd - Dublin, Ireland

(2022-08 - 2023-12)

• Partnered with site leadership to deliver workforce planning strategy during the Kerrygold Park site expansion in Mitchelstown, aligning hiring activity to operational growth.
• Supported business growth by scaling headcount from 100 to 250+ employees during a site expansion, advising leaders on hiring strategy, onboarding, and workforce integration.
• Collaborated with HR and business leaders to ensure recruitment activities aligned with broader talent and capability plans.
• Provided regular recruitment insights and market data to support workforce decision making.
• Ensured all onboarding and compliance processes were completed in line with company policy and regulatory requirements.
• Mentored and coached junior members of the HR team, supporting capability development with the People Services function.

People Services HR Advisor - Ornua Co-Operative Ltd - Dublin, Ireland

(2021-01 - 2022-08)

• Partnered with managers across Ireland and the UK to advise on employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, investigations, and performance issues.
• Coached line managers to build confidence and capability in managing ER cases and applying HR policies consistently.
• Supported the delivery of core HR processes including onboarding, performance management, and employee life cycle activities.
• Led onboarding operations across Ireland and UK, ensuring compliance with right-to-work legislation and internal policies.
• Educated UK managers on the implications of new Brexit related working rights and processes.
• Played a key role in standardising HR and recruitment processes across multiple regions, improving consistency and efficiency.
• Responded to employee and manager queries via HR systems, ensuring timely and accurate resolutions.
• Supported HR reporting and tracking of key metrics to inform decision making.

HR Generalist - Ornua Co-Operative Ltd - Leek, UK

(2019-10 - 2021-01)

• Partnered with site leadership across multiple manufacturing locations (1000+ employees) to support workforce planning and operation HR needs during Covid-19.
• Delivered HR reporting and insights to senior leadership, supporting data-driven decision making.
• Supported employee engagement initiatives and internal mobility by working with training team to identify and promote high-potential employees.
• Conducted audits of external labour providers to ensure compliance and service quality.
• Represented HR in community and employer initiatives, supporting attraction strategies.

HR Coordinator - Ornua Co-Operative Ltd - Chicago, USA

(2018-10 - 2019-10)

• Supported HR operations across multiple sites in the US, partnering with leadership on recruitment, onboarding, and workforce initiatives.
• Contributed to the rollout of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), supporting change management and adoption across teams.
• Supported the development of structured progression frameworks for operational employees, enhancing engagement and retention.
• Delivered HR updates and insights to leadership teams, contributing to business reviews and planning.

HR Graduate - Ornua Co-Operative Ltd - Dublin, Ireland

(2017-09 - 2018-10)

Global Employer Services Intern - Deloitte & Touche Ireland - Dublin, Ireland

(2016-06 - 2016-08)

Crew Member and Trainer - McDonalds Ireland - Sligo, Ireland

(2012-03 - 2016-06)

MSc - Human Resource Management - National University of Ireland, Galway (2016-09 - 2017-07)

HR Graduate - University College Dublin (2013-09 - 2016-05)

Irish Leaving Certificate - Coola Post Primary School (2007-09 - 2013-05)