HR Manager

IKEA; Exeter; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retailer is seeking an HR Manager for their Exeter store. In this full-time position, you will champion co-worker experiences and drive business success through effective people management. Responsibilities include coaching managers, guiding operational HR initiatives, and ensuring a positive workplace culture. Ideal candidates will have 5 years of managerial experience in retail and a strong understanding of HR practices. Benefits include a salary of £45,000 per annum and various perks to support employee wellbeing.

Benefits

15% IKEA discount

Life Assurance of 4 times your pay

Enhanced pension contributions

Free healthy meal options in co-worker restaurant

LinkedIn Learning access

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in a leadership/managerial role within retail or a related sector.
• Knowledge of employment law and workplace rights.
• Experience in managing a high and varied workload.

Responsibilities

• Guide operational requirements and implement People and Culture strategies.
• Coach managers on workforce and engagement solutions.
• Ensure development of business and leadership competence.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Communication

HR Issue Resolution

Stakeholder relations

Job description

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

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

WORKING WITH US HAS ITS REWARDS

Our co‑workers bring unique ideas and talent to work every day, and we offer a variety of benefits that suit their and their family's everyday needs.

• 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-because-a-job-with-us-is-so-m…

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 organizations, 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 escalated.

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!