HR Business Partner

The Sterling Choice; Seaham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing firm in Seaham is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner. You will manage ER cases, support payroll accuracy, and lead recruitment efforts, influencing the HR function in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong HR background, confidence in handling ER issues, and a CIPD Level 5 qualification. This role offers a salary of £40,000-£45,000 based on experience.

Benefits

Supportive leadership

Chance to shape HR processes

Varied role with influence

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of HR generalist experience.
• Confident handling of complex ER cases.
• Experience on the shop floor in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage ER cases from start to finish.
• Keep policies and procedures up to date.
• Support payroll and benefits accuracy.
• Manage recruitment and onboarding.
• Partner on HR projects around engagement.

Skills

Managing ER cases

Knowledge of UK employment law

Coaching managers

Engagement and workforce planning

Education

CIPD Level 5

Tools

HR systems like SuccessFactors

HR systems like Kronos

Job description

HR Business Partner - Food Manufacturing

Sunderland | £40,000 - £45,000 | Site-Based

There are HR Business Partner roles that are all policy policing and box‑ticking.

Then there are ones where you actually get to make things better. This is the second kind.

You’ll be partnering with managers across a busy food manufacturing site — a place where things move fast, people are hands‑on, and HR needs to be, too.

You’ll have a proper seat at the table (and probably a hi‑vis on it), working closely with operations to support, challenge, and coach.

In a nutshell:

You’ll be the go‑to for all things people. That means…

• Managing ER cases from start to finish – coaching managers, keeping things fair, and staying legally watertight.
• Keeping policies, procedures, and training up to scratch (and actually relevant).
• Supporting payroll and benefits accuracy – because no one thanks you when it’s wrong.
• Managing recruitment and onboarding for your area, helping new starters actually want to stay.
• Partnering on projects around engagement, workforce planning, and change.
• Spotting where processes could be slicker – and having the initiative to make it happen.

What you’ll need:

• A solid HR background – around 3‑5 years as a generalist.
• Confident handling of complex ER cases in line with UK employment law.
• CIPD Level 5 (or well on your way there).
• Experience with HR systems like SuccessFactors or Kronos would be handy.
• Someone who likes being out on the shop floor, not just stuck behind a spreadsheet.

What you’ll get:

• £40,000‑£45,000 salary (depending on experience)
• A genuinely varied role with influence and visibility
• The chance to shape how HR works in a growing, people‑focused manufacturing business
• Supportive leadership that actually values HR as more than just admin