HR Advisor

Manpower 2Sisters; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Carlisle is looking for an HR Advisor to support operational teams through the employee lifecycle. Responsibilities include providing expert HR advice, supporting recruitment initiatives, and ensuring compliance with employment law. Ideal candidates should have previous HR advisory experience and strong knowledge of UK employment legislation. Join a values-driven environment with excellent benefits including up to 35 days of annual leave, employee assistance programs, and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Annual Leave up to 35 days

Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme

Company Pension Scheme

Boparan Restaurant Group Discount

Cycle 2 Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Previous HR advisory experience, ideally in manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Ability to analyze data and present insights effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR advisory support and guidance on policies and employee matters.
• Support recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Champion diversity and wellbeing initiatives across the workforce.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Coaching

Relationship building

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification or working towards

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Excel

Power BI

Jotform

SharePoint

Job description

HR Advisor - Carlisle
Location: Cavaghan & Gray, Carlisle
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits

Join a business that feeds the nation - and supports its people by shaping the future of food - and the people behind it.

About 2 Sisters Food Group

At 2 Sisters Food Group, we’re one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, with a £3 billion turnover and 13,500 passionate colleagues. Our Cavaghan & Gray site in Carlisle is a flagship location, producing over 150 premium product lines for M&S and delivering 115 million units annually.

Carlisle has a proud history of innovation too. In the 1970s, our Carlisle site helped spark the ready meal revolution, launching the first-ever prepared dishes for M&S – including classics like cauliflower cheese, cottage pie and Cumberland pie. Today, we continue that legacy by driving quality, innovation and change, offering employees the chance to be part of something with real heritage and real ambition.

With a proud heritage of innovation and a culture built on collaboration, ambition and care, we’re looking for an HR Advisor who thrives in a fast‑paced, people‑first environment where your HR expertise can make a real difference.

About the Role

As HR Advisor, you’ll support the HR Business Partners and be a key trusted partner to our operational teams, supporting the full employee lifecycle from onboarding through to employees exiting the business and helping to shape a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture. The role combines day‑to‑day HR advisory and administration duties where you will work closely with managers and colleagues to provide guidance on HR policies, employee relations to include investigations, consultations, disciplinaries, TUPE process and providing HR advice on performance, learning and development, absence and engagement initiatives in a fast‑paced values‑driven environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing proactive expert HR Advisory support across the site, ensuring consistency and fairness in all people matters.
• Advising on employee relations issues including disciplinary, grievance and absence management.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, performance and development initiatives.
• Championing wellbeing, diversity and engagement across the workforce.
• Collaborating with the wider HR team to drive continuous improvement and compliance.
• Ensure fair, consistent application of policies and employment law.
• Partner with managers to drive a positive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities with Digital skills

• Trusted HR Advisor: Provide expert guidance to line managers on employee relations, absence and performance management.
  Microsoft Teams – Advanced: Used daily for virtual coaching, case discussions and quick resolution of queries.
  SharePoint – Intermediate: Maintain and share up‑to‑date HR policies, templates and case documentation securely across teams.
• Data‑Driven Insight: Analyse and present people data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
  Excel – Advanced: Create pivot tables, dashboards and trackers for absence, ER cases and KPIs.
  Power BI – Intermediate: Build visual reports to present trends and insights to senior stakeholders, supporting strategic decisions.
• Transformation & Change: Support organisational change initiatives including restructures, redundancies and ill‑health capability cases.
  Jotform – Intermediate: Design and manage digital consultation forms and feedback surveys to streamline change processes.
  SharePoint – Intermediate: Store and manage sensitive documentation securely during change programmes.
• Collaboration & Escalation: Work closely with Strategic HR Business Partners to elevate complex cases and support delivery of people plans.
  Microsoft Teams – Advanced: Facilitate cross‑functional meetings and share updates in real time.
  SharePoint – Intermediate: Collaborate on shared HR plans and track progress on initiatives.
• Process Improvement – Identify and implement enhancements to HR processes and ways of working.
  Jotform – Intermediate: Automate routine HR requests (e.g. return‑to‑work forms, feedback collection).
  Excel – Advanced: Analyse process efficiency and model improvements.
  SharePoint – Intermediate: Document and version‑control updated workflows and SOPs.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous HR advisory experience in a fast‑paced HR role, ideally within manufacturing or FMCG or similar fast‑paced settings.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Excellent communication, coaching, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach with a passion for people.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards) is desirable.
• We’re looking for an HR Advisor who can hit the ground running, quickly understand the site, and bring experience, confidence and initiative. Alongside daily responsibilities, you’ll support projects, analyse data and help turn ideas into action.
• This is an exciting time to join as we modernise our systems and ways of working. You’ll have the chance to take ownership, contribute to change and make a real impact on both our people, business and identify and implement opportunities to enhance HR processes and ways of working within your business area.

Why Join Us?

• Work for one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers with a proud legacy – from launching the UK’s first ready meals to driving modern innovation.
• Be part of a team that values integrity, respect and continuous improvement.
• Work in a collaborative, values‑driven environment where your voice matters.
• Enjoy a competitive salary, opportunities for real career development and a benefits package that includes:
  • Up to 35 days Annual Leave including Bank Holidays
  • Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme and Grocery Aid, offering confidential support services 365 days a year
  • Company Pension Scheme
  • Boparan Restaurant Group Discount
  • Cycle 2 Work Scheme