Margaret Boyle
HR Business Partner
Location: Currently the Head Quarters at Tyholland, Ireland, but I travel regularly.
As HR Business Partner, my role is to lead projects relating to employee relations across the group. I'm currently working on projects regarding staff turnover and attendance. This will help to improve information dissemination to the board of directors, operations management and the wider HR team. From this information we can identify trends and areas for improvement and develop appropriate action plans to help support managers in these areas.
When did you start with Monaghan?
I graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2004 with a degree in Hospitality. Over the next few years, I gained valuable experience from various operational roles in the Hospitality industry throughout Ireland and Scotland. During my time in hotels I developed a strong interest in employment issues and after travelling for 2 years throughout Australia and Asia I returned to Ireland to complete a Masters in Human Resource Management in Dublin City University.
When researching career choices, I discovered that Monaghan had become a global player in the fresh food industry and that they were leading the field through constant innovation and passion for quality. I approached Monaghan in October 2011 to request an unpaid FAS placement which led to a full time position and I have been part the team ever since.
What other jobs have you done with Monaghan?
I began my career working in the HR department at Head Office. After 4 weeks in the company I was asked to go to Sussex for two weeks to support our most recent acquisition, Thakeham Mushrooms. I returned home almost two years later! During my time in Thakeham I was the HR Administrator onsite dealing with all aspects of Employee Relations during a period of huge change. The position was challenging and rewarding and due to the diversity of the role I gained valuable experience.
I returned to Ireland to take on the new role of HR Support Services to Prime Champ. This is Monaghan's most recent acquisition and includes mushrooms farms across the Netherlands and Germany. The role requires regular travel to work with the HR teams abroad. I was presented with many new challenges for example, becoming familiar with employment law in two new countries along with dealing with language difficulties and cultural variations.
I recently commenced my new role in which I am developing my skills to become an effective project manager.
What do you like best about working at Monaghan?
Monaghan is a company that I am proud to work for. It relentlessly pursues quality in all areas. The company is made up of individuals who are passionate about their contribution to the success of the business. Throughout the group you meet people who love what they do and that energy and enthusiasm drives their teams.
I love the diversity of the work and everyone has the opportunity to develop and up skill. Many of our staff began their careers picking mushrooms or in our packhouses and have progressed into management roles throughout the business. There are no limits to what people can achieve and there is a strong ethos of mutual respect that is driven from the top level of the business.
I also love that you are constantly challenged. ‘Good enough’ is not accepted and there is a constant drive to make every area the best it can be. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience new countries and cultures and to work with people from all over the world. The company is full of talented people and the nature of the business means that you work with people across all departments and walks of life.
What’s been your best experience at Monaghan?
It would be difficult to pinpoint areas of my time with Monaghan as my ‘best experience’; there have been many aspects that have been rewarding. Working in Thakeham Mushrooms was challenging at times, but it is so satisfying to have been part of the team that lead the business through the period of change.
I loved the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands and Germany and experience a new culture and lifestyle. This experience certainly opened my eyes to the challenges of working in a labour market that is so different from ours.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Monaghan?