HR Business Partner - Carlisle, UK&I

pladis Foods Limited; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An ambitious global biscuits and confectionery business is seeking an HR Business Partner in Carlisle. This role involves leading HR initiatives, engaging with leadership teams, and driving people strategy while ensuring strong employee relations and compliance with employment law. Candidates should possess experience in HR, particularly in fast-paced environments, and have excellent relationship-building skills. A CIPD qualification is desirable, and candidates will contribute significantly to organizational change and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels, including trade unions.
• Experience in a fast-paced HR environment with knowledge of employee engagement and lifecycle management.
• Continuous learner with sound understanding of employment law.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR leadership and business partnering support at the site.
• Develop strong relationships with the Site Leadership Team and lead on people strategy.
• Handle complex employee relations issues and ensure consistency of HR practices across the region.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Employee relations

Project management

Change management

Knowledge of employment law

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

HR Business Partner - Carlisle, UK

HR Business Partner - Carlisle, UK

Apply locations: Carlisle | Time type: Full time | Posted on: Posted 30+ Days Ago | Job requisition id: JR25860

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Join our ambitious and fast-growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic brands, infrastructure, and people. We pride ourselves on quality ingredients and hiring passionate individuals who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis, you need to be purpose-led, resilient, and positive. We value pace, agility, collaboration, and accountability. If this resonates with you, pladis offers global ambition, a clear vision, and opportunities to learn and make an impact.

Click “Apply” to get started.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide HR leadership and business partnering support at the site by working closely with site leadership, management teams, and the wider UK&I HR function to ensure HR activities add value and align with site and regional HR priorities.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop strong relationships with the Site Leadership Team, setting site direction and leading on people strategy, challenging the status quo.
• Own the HR agenda for the site/functions, covering performance management, talent development, engagement, reward, and industrial relations.
• Partner with senior leaders to develop leadership capabilities and provide coaching on people-related matters.
• Identify key areas impacting business performance and work with teams to build improvement plans.
• Coordinate with other HR teams such as Recruitment, Employee Relations, L&D, and Wellbeing.
• Create and implement site people plans aligned with strategic priorities.
• Build positive employee relations with trade unions, lead negotiations, and manage consultations.
• Handle complex employee relations issues, applying employment law expertise.
• Ensure consistency of HR practices across the UK&I region.
• Lead site change initiatives, including organization design and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee HR initiatives related to supply chain projects and participate in UK-wide trade union forums.
• Manage engagement measurement, CSR, Inclusion & Diversity, and health & wellbeing programs at the site.
• Line manage the Site Engagement Lead and Site L&D Coordinator, ensuring team development and budget management.
• Deputize for the Head of SC HR as required.

Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications & Skills

Essential:

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels, including trade unions.
• Experience in a fast-paced HR environment, with knowledge of employee engagement and lifecycle management.
• Proven experience in leading organizational change and developing long-term people strategies.
• Background in employee relations, including dispute resolution and union negotiations.
• Strong relationship-building, planning, and project management skills.
• Continuous learner with sound understanding of employment law.

Desirable:

• Experience in manufacturing environments.
• CIPD qualification.
• Trade union negotiation skills (e.g., GAP Negotiator course).

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity. All roles are filled based on qualifications without discrimination.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List for recruitment agencies.

About Us

pladis is a leading global snacking company with brands like McVitie’s, GODIVA, and Ülker. With over 300 years of baking and confectionery heritage, our 16,000 employees across 27 bakeries in 11 countries are united by our purpose: to ‘bring happiness with every bite’.

We deliver high-quality products and exceptional service to over four billion people worldwide.

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