People Advisor - (HRA.92)

Gist; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

M&S discount

25 days annual leave

Healthcare cash plan

Bonus scheme

Pension

App-based discounts

Wellbeing support

Training schemes

Cycle to work

Job summary

Gist, part of the M&S Group, is recruiting a commercially minded People Advisor for our Thatcham site. You will work with the People Partner and site leadership to deliver practical HR support, focusing on employee relations, coaching managers and strong HR fundamentals within our operational logistics environment.

Salary up to £38,000 per annum with Monday–Friday 9am–5pm hours and occasional evening/night shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR advisory, employee relations or generalist HR in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong understanding of employment law, HR policy and ER best practice.
• Ability to coach managers and build trusted relationships.
• Proven capability to manage sensitive cases with fairness and judgement.
• Analytical mindset with ability to use HR data for practical solutions.
• Experience within operational, FMCG or logistics environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for employee relations and coach managers on ER matters.
• Support managers through absence, performance, conduct and ER processes.
• Ensure ER activity is fair, consistent and compliant with policy and law.
• Identify high-risk cases and assist with risk management and root cause analysis.
• Coach line managers to strengthen confidence in people management.
• Use HR data to identify priorities and implement practical solutions.
• Support engagement initiatives and local people activities.
• Maintain accurate records across headcount, absence and lifecycle activity.
• Contribute to the wider site people plan during transformation.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee Relations

Generalist HR

Communication

Coaching managers

Employment law

Data-driven HR

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD Level 3 or 5

Job description

At Gist, we're proud to be part of the M&S Group, the logistics engine behind M&S Food.

From our distribution centres to our transport operations and support functions, we connect people, technology and expertise to ensure the right products reach the right stores at the right time.

As we continue to invest in our people, technology and network, there's never been a more exciting time to join Gist and help shape the future of food logistics.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded People Advisor to join our operational People Team in Thatcham.

Working closely with the People Partner and site leadership team, you will play a key role in delivering a credible, practical and people focused HR service, with a particular focus on employee relations, manager coaching and strong HR fundamentals.

This is a hands-on role at the heart of the operation, giving you the opportunity to influence the employee experience while supporting the site through business excellence, change and transformation.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting into the People Partner, you will be responsible for:

• Act as the first point of contact for employee relations, providing pragmatic advice, coaching managers and colleagues on best practice.
• Support managers through absence, performance, conduct and other ER processes, encouraging early intervention and effective case management.
• Ensure ER activity is handled fairly, consistently and in line with employment law, policy and good practice.
• Identify and escape complex or high risk cases, supporting the People Partner with risk management, root cause analysis and Industrial Relations activity.
• Coach and develop line managers, strengthening their confidence and capability in managing people matters.
• Use HR data, trends and insights to identify people priorities and support practical solutions across the site.
• Support engagement initiatives and local people activities that build open communication, trust and positive colleague experience.
• Maintain accurate records across headcount, absence, ER, training and employee lifecycle activity, working closely with People Services and Centres of Excellence.
• Contribute to the wider site people plan and support the business through ongoing change and transformation.

What we’re looking for

To be successful in your application you will bring proven experience in HR advisory, employee relations or a generalist HR role, ideally within an operational, FMCG or logistics environment. We are looking for someone who can:

• Confidently advise and coach managers on Employee Relations and people challenges.
• Apply a strong understanding of employment law, HR policy and ER best practice.
• Build trusted relationships and communicate clearly at all levels.
• Manage sensitive cases with fairness, pragmatism and sound judgement.
• Balance competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Use HR data and insight to understand issues and develop practical solutions.
• Influence, challenge and problem‑solve in a collaborative way.
• Work effectively with People Partners, Centres of Excellence and wider HR teams.
• CIPD Level 3 or 5 is desirable, but not essential.

With the support of a strong People Partner model and specialist Centres of Excellence, you will have the opportunity to build your HR and ER expertise, make a real impact and develop your career as part of a business going through an exciting period of transformation.

Role details:

Salary: Up to £38,000 per annum, dependant on experience Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with flexibility required to support the site on evening or night shifts. Location: Gist, Enterprise Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 4BQ

What’s in it for you?

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from:

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support - including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first‑class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Why Gist?

When you join Gist, you’re joining a business that plays a critical role within M&S Group.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence meaningful change, work alongside experienced leaders and contribute to one of the UK’s leading food supply chains.

Our culture is built around our values of being Progressive, Accountable, Collaborative and Ethical, creating an environment where people are trusted, supported and encouraged to grow.

Whether you’re leading a site operation, delivering transformation or shaping future strategy, your work will make a real difference.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Gist, we believe our differences make us stronger.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure you have the support you need.