People and Culture Manager

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

Job summary

A leading retail company in Peterborough is seeking a People and Culture Manager to guide and implement people strategy in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience and a strong ability to build positive relationships, with a focus on employee engagement and performance management. This role includes a strong focus on coaching and compliance with workplace standards. A competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

15% employee discount

Enhanced parental leave

Life assurance of 4 times your pay

Health and wellbeing support

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Senior functional experience beneficial.
• Experience in people and culture within distribution or retail is beneficial but not essential.
• Proven ability to prioritise and organise workload.

Responsibilities

• Guide and implement operational requirements.
• Lead and coach P&C business partners.
• Supervise implementation of IKEA Employment standards.
• Represent People & Culture in strategic planning.

Skills

Value- and culture-driven leadership experience

Experience in strategy development

Confidence in expressing ideas

Effective problem-solving

Education

Relevant university degree

Job description

IKEA Peterborough – People and Culture Manager

IKEA Peterborough, Customer Distribution Centre is looking to welcome a People and Culture Manager. Our team of over 1200 coworkers performs in a high volume, fast‑paced, agile environment to secure stock availability in our multi‑channel market. We are seeking a motivated leader who will shape and develop our people strategy with a business perspective.

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

What We Offer

• Start Date: January 2026
• Salary: £45,000 per annum (based on competence and experience)
• Hours: 39 hours per week, 5 days a week including weekends and late nights
• Flexibility: Discuss during interview to match your life and our business needs

Benefits and Rewards

• 15% IKEA discount through discount portal, saving you £100s on high‑street retailers
• Enhanced parental leave
• Life assurance of 4 times your pay
• Enhanced statutory pension contributions and interest‑free loans
• First‑day‑of‑school paid leave for parents
• Health and wellbeing support, learning and development

Requirements

• Value‑ and culture‑driven leadership experience; senior functional experience beneficial
• Experience in people and culture within distribution, retail or similar high‑volume sector (beneficial but not essential)
• Relevant university degree (beneficial but not essential)
• Ability to build positive relationships and create a culture where everyone feels valued
• Experience in strategy development, stakeholder relations, performance management, HR policy, business guidance (beneficial)
• Proven ability to prioritise and organise workload to meet agreed goals and deadlines
• Confidence in expressing ideas and influencing relationships across all levels
• Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making, particularly with operational challenges

Responsibilities

• Guide and implement operational requirements and collaborate with stakeholders to support full range of people and culture strategy and activities
• Lead and coach P&C business partners and coordinators, supporting succession planning within the country
• Identify, evaluate and monitor labour issues that could create significant risks for IKEA
• Supervise implementation of IKEA Employment standards and compliance, ensuring Ingka Total Rewards strategy is followed
• Represent People & Culture in strategic business planning and meetings
• Coach line managers on workforce, talent, engagement, organisational effectiveness, change management and Ingka Total Rewards
• Foster open dialogue with co‑workers, their associations and other organisations, contribute to tradeshments and align with business needs
• Ensure talent and succession goals are achieved and advise line managers accordingly
• Provide co‑worker relations expertise and insights to business functions and P&C partners

Recruitment Process

This role will be open for applications until 10 December 2025.

Required: Updated CV and cover letter outlining motivation for the role.

Shortlisted candidates must complete and submit their PI before the interview.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited by email for an interview.

We will keep all candidates informed whether successful or not.

Please contact Sharon Pearce for questions about the role. For recruitment experience inquiries, contact Janice Chalkley at [e-mail].

EEO Statement

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.