People Business Partner

Smiths News; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

4x salary life assurance

5% match pension

Company funded Health Cash Plan

25 days holiday plus buy scheme

24/7 E-Learning modules

Sharesave Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Colleague Assistance Programme

Colleague referral scheme

Job summary

Smiths News is hiring a People Business Partner for Swindon Head Office on a 12 Month FTC with hybrid working. You will support leaders across a fast-paced, multi-site business, delivering people strategies that drive performance and engagement.

You will advise on workforce planning, change, development and capability, using data to shape decisions and improve the colleague experience. A moving, commercial mindset and driving licence are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience operating as a People/HR Business Partner.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience supporting organisational change and business improvement.
• A proactive, commercially focused approach.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders across workforce planning, change, development, engagement and leadership capability.
• Use data and insight to shape business decisions and improve colleague experience.
• Provide commercially focused people support across multiple sites and depots.

Skills

People Business Partner

CIPD Level 5

Stakeholder management

Influencing

Organisational change

Commercially minded

Full UK driving licence

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

12 Month FTC (with potential to become permanent)
Swindon Head Office / Hybrid Working

£55,000 to £62,000 per annum plus bonus and benefits.

Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers. So when we say we’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we’re as good as our word.

Are you a people-focused HR professional who thrives on building relationships, influencing leaders, and making a real impact? We're looking for a People Business Partner to support leaders across a fast-paced, multi-site business, helping to deliver people strategies that drive performance, engagement, and organisational success.

In this varied role, you'll act as a trusted advisor to leaders, providing commercially focused people support across workforce planning, organisational change, talent development, employee engagement, and leadership capability. You'll use data, insight, and a practical approach to help shape business decisions and create a great colleague experience.

What you'll bring

• Experience operating as a People/HR Business Partner.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience supporting organisational change and business improvement.
• A proactive, commercially focused approach.
• Full UK driving licence.

Please note: This role supports a multi-site operation and requires monthly visits to the depots within your allocated area.

If you're looking for an opportunity to shape people outcomes, influence business decisions, and be part of a collaborative People team, we'd love to hear from you.

What we can offer you

Not only do we offer free onsite parking, 4x salary life assurance and 5% match pension but you’ll also have access to:

• Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
• 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme
• 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
• Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
• Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme

About you

We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded People Business Partner who enjoys building strong relationships, influencing stakeholders, and delivering practical people solutions that support business success.

You'll have experience partnering with leaders in a fast-paced environment, strong stakeholder management skills, and the confidence to challenge and coach at all levels. A proactive approach, sound judgement, and the ability to translate people insight into action are essential.

CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent experience), you'll also hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to travel regularly across your business area.

We're keen to appoint quickly and would particularly welcome applications from candidates who are available to start immediately or have a short notice period.

Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too.