Employment Relations Specialist

Welcome to Suntory Oceania | Nau mai ki Suntory Oceania

Bringing the best of Suntory to Oceania.

By harnessing the best of Suntory from across Australia and New Zealand, Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania have created a multi-beverage powerhouse – Suntory Oceania.

Our 40 market-leading brands, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Hibiki® Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club® Whisky, -196, V Energy, Maximus, and Suntory BOSS Coffee, are powered by five distribution centres, more than 1,500 Suntorians and two local manufacturing sites. With full end-to-end control of our portfolio, we pioneer new beverage experiences, inspired by innovation and craftsmanship.

What is the opportunity? | He aha te kōwhiringa?

This is not your typical ER role. Read on….

We’re looking for an experienced Employment Relations Specialist to step into a high-impact, fixed-term role where your focus will be to build, enable and uplift — not just manage cases.

Working closely with our People & Culture Business Partners across New Zealand and Australia, you will:

• Establish fit-for-purpose ER frameworks, tools and playbooks
• Coach and uplift capability across HR and leaders
• Apply and interpret both NZ and AU employment frameworks
• Monitor legislative change and translate into business-ready guidance
• Provide pragmatic, specialist ER guidance on complex matters
• Leave behind a strong, self-sufficient ER ecosystem

This role is designed with a clear outcome in mind: embedding consistent, fair and commercially sound ER practices across the business.

Flexibility is key — we’re open to part-time or full-time, and location across NZ or AU (with hybrid/remote options).

About you | Nō hea koe

You’re a hands-on ER specialist who balances legal rigour with commercial reality.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience in Employee Relations / Industrial Relations (5+ years)
• Strong case management capability across performance, misconduct, investigations and change
• Experience working with NZ employment law (AU exposure highly desirable)
• Ability to simplify complexity into practical, user-friendly tools
• A coaching mindset – you enable others rather than doing everything yourself
• A pragmatic, outcome-focused approach (not overly process-heavy)
• Strong stakeholder skills and ability to influence across all levels

Backgrounds we welcome:

• ER specialists from large or complex organisations
• HR professionals with deep IR experience
• Legal professionals looking to move into a more commercial, embedded environment

If you’re not an expert in all these areas, don’t worry! A lot of what we look for is how you would align with our values and your ability to utilise your unique skills and experience.

What’s in it for you? I He aha te mea e whiwhi ai koe?

• High-impact, project-based role where you can genuinely shape capability
• Flexibility: part-time, full-time, hybrid or remote options
• Work across NZ and AU, building regional expertise
• A role focused on building, coaching and strategy — not just BAU casework
• Collaborative, supportive People & Culture team

• Free parking on site in Manukau, we do move to the CBD in November – a brand-new office environment!

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognise that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavour to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.

Apply Now! | Me Tono Ināianei!

If you’re an ER specialist looking for a high-impact, flexible opportunity where you can build something meaningful and leave a lasting legacy — we’d love to hear from you.