HR Manager

Ingka External; Exeter; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Exeter is seeking an HR Manager to foster a positive workplace culture and drive business success through people. This full-time role requires a people-first leader passionate about collaborating with teams to enhance co-worker experiences. Responsibilities include operational support, coaching managers, and ensuring compliance with labor practices. Competitive salary, 15% discount, and a focus on wellbeing are part of the offer.

Benefits

15% IKEA discount

Life Assurance

LinkedIn Learning subscription

Wellbeing Centre resources

Co-worker restaurant benefits

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in a leadership/managerial role within retail or a related sector.
• Knowledge of employment law and workplace rights.
• Confidence to express ideas and influence effectively.

Responsibilities

• Guiding and executing operational requirements.
• Coaching managers on workforce solutions.
• Acting as a partner to manage co-worker relations.

Skills

Leadership in retail

Coaching

Relationship building

Problem-solving

Operational management

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Job ID: 311175

Date posted: 30/12/2025

We have a fantastic opportunity for an HR Manager based at our Exeter store on a full-time basis. This is an exciting opportunity, and you'll be joining a great team!

Are you a people‑first leader with a passion for hands‑on retail? Join us as a strategic HR partner based on the shop floor as much as in the office, where you'll shape co‑worker experiences, champion individual potential, and drive business success through people in a fast‑paced, customer‑focused store environment.

At the heart of our business are our people. We create a better everyday life together by living our shared values and safeguarding our unique culture. To create an inspiring IKEA experience, we need to make sure our co‑workers have the preconditions to meet our customers in the best possible way.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Start date of employment will be discussed during interview.
• Salary of £45,000 per annum, based on competence and experience.
• 39 hours a week, 5 days per week, including regular late evenings and alternate weekends as part of your regular working pattern.

WORKING WITH US HAS ITS REWARDS

• 15% IKEA discount & discount portal helping you save £100's on High Street retailers.
• Life Assurance of 4 times your pay, enhanced statutory pension contributions & interest free loans.
• LinkedIn Learning & Rosetta Stone subscriptions.
• Wellbeing Centre - Mental, Physical health and nutrition resources.
• An affordable co‑worker restaurant, with free healthy meal options, snacks and desserts, a salad bar, coffees and teas, etc.

...as well as so much more! Click below for a full list of our benefits: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/this-is-ikea/work-with-us/why-work-with-us-be...

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO HAVE

• 5 years' experience in a leadership/managerial role within retail or a related sector, with an understanding of coaching and supporting teams and leading on policies and processes.
• Able to build positive relationships and create a culture where everyone feels valued. You bring an optimistic, solutions focused mindset and proactively look for ways to improve co‑worker experience and store performance.
• Ideally, knowledge of employment law and workplace rights, with the ability to navigate and mediate relationships between co‑workers, management, trade unions, and government bodies. Your expertise ensures a fair, compliant, and collaborative working environment.
• Experience of the following is beneficial:
  • Strategy development and stakeholder relations
  • Performance Management
  • HR Issue Resolution and Policy Management
  • Business Model Guidance
• Confidence to express ideas and opinions effectively, both verbally and in writing, to influence and build effective relationships across all levels.
• Strong problem solving and decision making abilities, particularly when faced with operational challenges – you remain calm and organised under pressure when several issues need attention at once.
• You enjoy being visible and present in the store, working closely with managers and co‑workers in a busy, day to day retail environment, not just from behind a desk.
• Proven ability to manage a high and varied workload – switching between strategic work (planning, projects, initiatives) and operational tasks and urgent issues without losing structure or quality.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

• Guide and execute operational requirements, collaborating with stakeholders to support the implementation of the full range of the People and Culture strategy, solutions and activities.
• Coach managers on solutions related to their workforce, talent, co‑worker engagement, organisational effectiveness, change management and Ingka Total Rewards.
• Ensure that line managers develop business and leadership competence for today and tomorrow.
• Actively foster an ongoing open dialogue with co‑workers, their associations and other organisations, contributing to the successful involvement of co‑worker committees/trade unions to secure social partner commitment.
• Be responsible for ensuring that talent and succession goals are being consciously achieved, providing advice and expertise to line managers to secure a quality and timely process.
• Participate and represent Human Resource in strategic business plan development and ongoing business meetings and decisions.
• Take responsibility for the implementation of a co‑worker relations plan that effectively manages all local interactions with co‑workers and ensures that all areas in the unit work with the labour relations principles and uphold local policies, procedures and laws.
• Act as a proactive partner to managers – spotting trends in co‑worker feedback, absence, performance or engagement data and recommending action before issues evolve.

WE CARE FOR THE PEOPLE

It takes the diversity of thought, background, and culture to make great ideas a reality. We welcome candidates from all walks of life, including those with disabilities, to join us, and feel valued in the workplace.

Come see the wonderful workday where we create a better everyday life for the many.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS INFORMATION

• Let us know if you require any adjustments to be made during the interview process as soon as possible.
• Please attach an updated CV and cover letter with your application so we can get to know you better.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited by email to attend a face‑to‑face interview.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second‑stage interview. Prior to interview, a PI (Behavioural) questionnaire will be sent to you to complete.

IKEA reserves the right to close a job vacancy earlier than originally advertised.

For any advice or support, email [e-mail] (Recruiter) and I will be happy to help!