ER Manager

Carlsberg; Lutterworth; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major beverage company is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to oversee the ER function, coaching the Advisor team and managing complex cases across multiple sites. This position requires a strong understanding of UK employment law and prior experience in unionised environments. The ideal candidate will work closely with senior management to implement best practices and drive improvements in employee relations processes. Benefits include a competitive salary and various attractive perks.

Benefits

Monthly product allowance

Private Medical options

Life Assurance

Company bonus scheme

24/7 GP services

Enhanced pension contribution

Generous holiday allowance

High street discounts

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an Employee Relations role within a unionised, multi-site environment.
• Extensive working knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice.
• Experience leading restructures, redundancies, TUPE, and organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior escalation point for the ER Advisor team.
• Lead and advise on complex and high-risk cases.
• Monitor ER trends and hotspots, providing insights.

Skills

Employee Relations expertise

Stakeholder management

Knowledge of UK employment law

Coaching HR practitioners

Analytical skills

Job description

Job Title: ER Manager

Location: Lutterworth or Hemel Hempstead (Travel required)

Job Length: Permanent

Working Hours: 35h

Competitive Salary with extensive benefits

• Monthly product allowance – alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available
• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Generous holiday (inc bank holidays)
• Access to a range of high street discounts

Application Closing Date: Friday 9th January 2026

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brooklyn to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic’s brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the Carlsberg Britvic business includes 5 production facilities and 16 logistics depot’s servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.

About the role

The Employee Relations Manager is the driving force behind our ER function, providing coaching to the Advisor team while acting as the go‑to escalation point for the most complex and high‑risk cases. Alongside managing their own challenging caseload, this role partners closely with the Head of ER & IR to deliver consistent, high‑quality case management across all sites and commercial functions. With a focus on solution‑oriented, resolution‑driven outcomes, the Employee Relations Manager implements continuous improvements to create a fair and supportive workplace.

Role Responsibilities

• Act as the senior escalation point for the ER Advisor team, providing coaching, guidance and support on case handling and risk.
• Support the Head of ER & IR in ensuring ER casework is managed consistently, fairly and on time across all sites.
• Lead and advise on complex and high-risk cases, including discrimination, whistleblowing, safeguarding, serious misconduct and capability.
• Build capability within the ER Advisor team through case reviews, feedback and day-to-day coaching.
• Oversee whistleblowing cases to ensure concerns are logged, investigated and concluded in line with governance standards.
• Embed and maintain consistent use of the harmonised policy suite.
• Monitor ER trends and hotspots, providing clear insight and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Act as subject matter expert for restructures, redundancies, TUPE, contractual change and wider organisational change.
• Work with HRBPs and site leadership teams to plan and deliver change programmes, including consultation, templates, training etc.
• Manage ER projects such as the resolution framework, All Reasonable Steps, probation improvements, and manager capability initiatives.
• Improve ER processes, documentation and templates to support a proactive, early-resolution culture.
• Build cooperative relationships with site leaders, HRBPs and union representatives, supporting positive industrial relations and effective consultation.
• Provide training and guidance for managers on ER topics to improve confidence, consistency and early intervention.

Experience and Key Attributes

• Significant experience in an Employee Relations role within a unionised, multi-site environment.
• Extensive working knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice, with the ability to apply this in a practical, commercial way.
• Experience leading restructures, redundancies, TUPE, contractual changes and wider organisational change programmes.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and developing HR/ER practitioners or HR generalists.
• Effective stakeholder management skills, with the ability to persuade and motivate senior leaders, HRBPs and managers constructively.
• Experience of working with trade unions and/or employee forums, supporting effective consultation and positive industrial relations.
• Skilled at analysing ER trends and data to identify hotspots, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive conversations professionally.
• Effective organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and ensure steady progress in cases and projects.
• Current full UK Working Rights.

Our commitment to diversity equity & inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences - including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do.

We are happy to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please do let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Application Process

We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.

This is an exciting time to join our newly formed business – with their incredible individual history’s, innovation of products and some of the UK’s most iconic brands, Carlsberg Britvic strives to deliver the best service to our customers and consumers. We aim to make a difference, bringing together two diverse companies, our global reach enables opportunity, growth and a chance to work with some fantastic people.