Commercial HRBP 12-Month Maternity Cover - Leeds

TG Arla; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy cooperative in the UK is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to drive strategic HR initiatives and support a commercial team of over 200 colleagues. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant degree and CIPD qualification, with proven experience in organizational development and change management. This role offers a competitive salary, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and an opportunity to influence the HR strategy in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hybrid working

Bonus scheme

Employer pension matched up to 6%

Private Healthcare

Qualifications

• Solid experience in developing organisations and leaders.
• In-depth experience of both strategic and operational HR.
• Background as an HR Business Partner in a large matrix organisation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Directors to influence strategy and drive performance.
• Act as a commercial business partner for a team of 200+.
• Design and drive projects that impact the organisation.

Skills

Business acumen

Change management

Communication

Coaching

Education

Relevant degree

CIPD qualification

Job description

Would you like to drive and shape our strategic people agenda for one of Arla Foods’ key markets?
We are looking for an experienced and talented HRBP who will proactively drive the people agenda, enabling short- and long-term business success.

How will you make an impact?

In this role, you will have the opportunity to execute both operational plans and deliver strategic projects with a direct impact on functional success. Reporting into the Senior HR Director of Commercial Functions, you will challenge the status quo to make a real difference while continuing to develop and future‑proof the business, organisation, and HR function.

What will the role look like?

• Partnering with Directors+ leaders across the commercial organisation to influence strategy, shape key decisions, and drive performance.
• Act as a commercial business partner to a commercial organisation of 200+ colleagues, with full ownership of the annual people calendar of activities.
• Identify overall people and organisational needs within your areas of responsibility and implement solutions aligned with our overall direction.
• Proactively identify key areas of change within your remit, designing and driving projects that have real impact.
• Contribute towards developing and executing the HR strategy and HRBP best practice.
• Drive strategic HR and business projects within the function.
• Make timely decisions and professionally manage implementation and transformation activity to meet business change needs.
• Coach leaders on HR issues linked to business and HR strategies, and support managers in identifying talent and future potential.
• Act as a sounding board and provide feedback to line managers on leadership behaviours.
• Lead and develop leaders to create an organisation with a strong performance culture through Arla’s people processes.
• Build trust effectively with Directors and establish open and honest relationships.
• Work effectively within the matrix and function as the single point of contact to the remainder of the HR organisation.
• Act as a custodian of the Arla leadership behaviours and principles, serving as a role model.

What do you need to succeed?

You hold a relevant degree or higher, and are CIPD‑qualified, with solid experience in developing organisations and leaders. You have in‑depth experience of both strategic and operational HR.

You bring a background as an HR Business Partner within a large, preferably global matrix organisation, and have strong experience in driving transformation and change.

Thanks to your strong business acumen, you have already demonstrated your ability to execute strategies alongside leaders at all organisational levels. Ideally, you have worked in both local and global HR roles and are highly skilled in managing multiple stakeholders. This requires personal impact, strong self‑organisation, authority and pace. You are a role model in driving change, maintain strong focus, and approach business challenges with a growth mindset, bringing energy and drive with a proven track record of delivering results. Your proactiveness and can‑do attitude enable you to deliver sustainable outcomes in a changing environment.

What Do We Offer?

• Competitive salary (discussed at application stage)
• Flexible hybrid working – 3 days per week in the office
• Bonus scheme
• 26 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Employer pension matched up to 6%
• 4× annual salary life assurance cover
• Flexible benefits – option to purchase additional holidays, reward gateway scheme with retailer discounts
• Private Healthcare
  

Would you like to apply?

The closing date for applications will be 1st December 2025. For additional information, please reach out to Melanie Williams, Arla’s UK TA Manager.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.