HR Manager

Job Description:

We are looking for an autonomous and hands-on HR Manager to build from scratch and lead the HR function for a multinational company in the restaurant industry that are starting their expansion in Portugal.

Reporting to the Country Manager, this person will be responsible for managing all key HR matters, with a particular focus on Portuguese labour law and employee relations, while leading the recruitment required to support the opening of new restaurants.

This is a highly generalist and operational role. We are looking for someone with strong judgement and the ability to analyse situations, make decisions and proactively propose solutions, without relying on constant direction from the Country Manager or headquarters.

Responsibilities:

- Build and implement the HR function, processes and policies required to support a growing organisation.
- Act as the main HR advisor to the Country Manager and Operations team.
- Ensure compliance with Portuguese labour legislation and manage employment-related matters, including contracts, employee relations, disciplinary issues and terminations.
- Coordinate the relationship with external payroll and labour administration providers.
- Review and understand payroll information and support the calculation and management of employment-related settlements and terminations.
- Advise managers on labour and employee-related matters and proactively propose practical solutions.
- Lead end-to-end recruitment processes for Store Managers, Assistant Managers and restaurant staff.
- Plan and manage high-volume recruitment campaigns required for new restaurant openings.
- Ensure each new location is adequately staffed and ready to open on schedule.
- Manage onboarding and key HR processes for new employees.
- Monitor relevant HR indicators such as turnover, absenteeism and staffing needs.
- Establish scalable HR processes as the organisation continues to grow.

Requirements:

- Around 5–8 years of experience in a generalist HR role.
- Strong knowledge of Portuguese labour law and employment practices.
- Experience managing employee relations, contracts, disciplinary matters and terminations.
- Experience coordinating external payroll or labour administration providers.
- Ability to understand and review payroll information, even where payroll processing is outsourced.
- Experience in recruitment, ideally including high-volume or operational hiring.
- Previous experience in restaurants, QSR, hospitality, retail or another multi-site environment.
- Experience building HR processes or developing an HR function in a new or rapidly growing business would be a strong advantage.
- Highly autonomous, pragmatic and solution-oriented, with the ability to make decisions independently.
- Native or fully fluent Portuguese and a good command of Spanish (or alternatively English).

Company Description:

Our client is an multinational restaurant group developing a well-known global QSR brand in Portugal. The business is currently building its local operation and has an ambitious expansion plan, with its first restaurant opening before the end of 2026 and several additional locations planned for 2027. This is an opportunity to join the project at an early stage and play a key role in building the HR foundations needed to support its growth.

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