Early Career Program – Human Resources

Kerry is a global leader in taste and nutrition, serving some of the world's most recognised food, beverage, and pharmaceutical brands. With over five decades of innovation and a strong commitment to people development, Kerry is offering an exciting 2-year Early Career Programme in Human Resources based in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a full-time contract opportunity designed for ambitious early-career professionals who are eager to build a solid foundation in HR within a globally respected organisation.

As part of this structured programme, you will gain real, hands-on HR experience across multiple centres of expertise, work alongside experienced HR professionals, and be supported by a dedicated mentor and manager. This is not a passive learning role — you will contribute meaningfully to business outcomes from day one, while benefiting from a clear career framework designed to accelerate your growth within the HR function.

• Partner with cross-functional departments to implement HR best practices aligned to Kerry's strategic objectives.
• Support talent attraction and retention initiatives to help position Kerry as an employer of choice for top talent in Kenya and beyond.
• Gain structured exposure to HR centres of expertise including Organisational Effectiveness, Learning & Talent Development, HR Business Partnering, and Talent Acquisition.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making processes and performance improvement initiatives within assigned business functions.
• Apply people and business knowledge to support growth across diverse business units and geographic regions.
• Rotate through specialist HR areas such as Reward, Sustainability, Transformation, Employee Relations, and Employee Engagement.
• Participate in regular one-on-one development conversations with your line manager to track progress against personal and professional goals.
• Leverage Kerry's HR Career Framework to navigate structured growth within the HR function over the 2-year period.

• Must hold or be on track to complete a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a Business-related discipline, with a major or strong focus in Human Resources.
• Must demonstrate a minimum of 6 months and no more than 3 years of relevant work experience — this programme is designed for early-career professionals, not seasoned HR practitioners.
• Must be able to communicate professionally and persuasively in English; proficiency in an additional language is a strong advantage.
• Must show the ability to work collaboratively across departments and adapt quickly to changing priorities in a fast-paced, multinational environment.
• Must demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a proactive mindset, and a genuine passion for people and organisational development.
• Must be legally eligible to work permanently in Kenya and be open to occasional travel and potential relocation as required by the programme.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality outcomes.

The specific salary for this role has not been publicly disclosed. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for early-career HR programme roles at multinational organisations in Nairobi, the estimated monthly compensation ranges between KES 55,000 and KES 90,000. Kerry is known for offering competitive remuneration packages that reflect its global standing and commitment to employee wellbeing.

• Structured 2-year career development programme with a globally recognised employer.
• Access to a dedicated mentor and regular manager-led career conversations.
• Exposure to international HR best practices and global centres of expertise.
• Opportunities for specialist rotations across Reward, Transformation, Employee Relations, and more.

This role is ideal for a recent graduate or final-year student who has completed their degree (or is about to) in Human Resources or a related Business discipline, with some initial work experience under their belt. You thrive in collaborative environments, are naturally curious about people and organisations, and are ready to hit the ground running in a structured corporate setting. You are open-minded, agile, and excited by the prospect of contributing to a globally impactful business from early in your career.

Do not apply if you have more than 3 years of HR experience, are looking for a senior or specialised HR role, or are not open to travel and potential relocation. This programme is specifically designed for early-career individuals and will not be the right fit for mid-level or senior HR professionals.

• Prepare an updated CV clearly highlighting your academic qualifications, any relevant work experience, and language proficiencies.
• Write a concise cover letter explaining why you are interested in the Kerry HR Early Career Programme and what you bring to the role.
• Submit your application through the Kerry official careers portal or via the job platform where this listing was found.
• Ensure all documents are in English and submitted before the deadline if one is communicated directly by Kerry's recruitment team.
• Note: Kerry does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Do not pay for any certificate, assessment, or notarisation as part of this application.