People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR)

DR. OETKER (UK) LIMITED; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food company in the UK is seeking a People & Culture Director to lead the HR agenda and align people strategies with business priorities. This role requires extensive experience in HR leadership within a multinational context and a strong understanding of UK employment law. The successful candidate will drive business growth through effective talent and leadership development, while fostering an inclusive culture. Comprehensive benefits are provided, including generous annual leave and private medical insurance.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Free Life Assurance

Enhanced Company Sick Pay

Private medical insurance (BUPA)

Free pizzas

Regular Employee Forums

Employee loyalty scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role, ideally within a multinational and matrix structure.
• Demonstrated ability to balance global frameworks with local requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and employment relations.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team.
• Lead workforce and succession planning.
• Champion company values and DE&I initiatives.
• Support organizational effectiveness and lead change management initiatives.

Skills

Talent management

Organizational design

Change leadership

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree (ideally HR)

Chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD)

Job description

HR | Leyland, Leeds | Start date: 01/08/2026 | Full Time | Permanent

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services – quality and an innovative spirit set us apart.

What awaits you? It's up to you! At Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don’t you?

JOIN THE TASTE.

Your Responsibilities

The People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR) is responsible for leading the people agenda in the UK Market, aligning global People & Culture frameworks with the business needs. Operating within a matrix structure, this role balances local regulatory and cultural requirements with regional and global priorities, ensuring an engaged, high‑performing, and inclusive workforce.

Strategic Leadership Brief

Position in Structure

Member of the Market Leadership Team; reports to Managing Director and Senior Executive Manager People & Culture International (dotted).

Strategic Mandate

• Global frameworks are translated effectively into the local market.
• Local culture, laws, and employee expectations are integrated into people strategies.
• The market leadership team is equipped with the leadership, talent, and culture required for business success.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership: Act as trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team; shape and deliver the local people strategy aligned with business priorities to drive commercial outcomes.
• Talent & Leadership Development: Lead workforce and succession planning, and build leadership capability to ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of successors for critical roles.
• Culture & Engagement: Champion company values, DE&I initiatives, and employee engagement programs to foster inclusion and alignment across the market.
• Organizational Development & Change: Support organizational effectiveness and lead transformation and change management initiatives, embedding agility and resilience.
• Employee Relations & Compliance: Ensure compliance with local labor laws and manage relationships with works councils, unions, and employee representatives.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee delivery of HR processes (recruitment, reward, performance, learning, etc.).
• Matrix Alignment: Balance global direction with local execution; ensure market needs are understood and represented at regional/global level.

Expected Impact

• A leadership team aligned on people and culture priorities.
• Market people strategy directly enabling business growth and transformation.
• A resilient, engaged, and inclusive workforce.
• Clear succession readiness and leadership bench strength.
• Smooth execution of global initiatives, adapted to local realities.

What You Bring

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role, ideally within a multinational and matrix structure.
• Strong expertise in talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and employee relations.
• Demonstrated ability to balance global frameworks with local requirements.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• In‑depth knowledge and experience in UK employment law and employment relations, rewards & benefits, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s (ideally HR).
• Chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) (Essential).
• Qualifications in organizational design, psychology, employment law would be highly beneficial.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking & commercial acumen
• Leadership & influence
• Collaboration across matrix structures
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills
• Data‑driven decision‑making

Success Measures

• Alignment of people strategy to business goals and global People & Culture direction.
• Improved employee engagement, retention, and leadership pipeline.
• Effective execution of global HR initiatives adapted to local needs.
• Positive compliance and employee relations record.

What We Offer

• 33 days annual leave (inc. bank holidays) which increases with service.
• Free Life Assurance at 4 times basic annual salary.
• Enhanced Company Sick Pay.
• Salary sacrifice Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 6% employer contribution).
• Private medical insurance (BUPA).
• Health care Cash Plan Scheme (BUPA).
• Annual healthy heart MOT’s.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave.
• Free pizzas.
• Subsidised on‑site restaurant with hot and cold meals, a salad/deli bar, snack machines and microwaves and storage facilities for those who prefer to bring their own.
• Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Free Wi‑Fi on site.
• Employee Referral Scheme £350 – once you know how great it is to work here, you’ll want to bring your friends and family!
• Regular Employee Forums ensuring all employees have a voice.
• Incentivised employee suggestion scheme.
• Employee loyalty scheme recognising length of service milestones at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 years and beyond!
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Free eye test vouchers.

Are you intrigued? Perfect. Then we look forward to your online application. Just click on the "Apply now" button, and you’re good to go.

Still, have questions? Then visit us at www.oetker.com/careers/work-with-us to find out why you should join our team.

Dr. Oetker is an equal opportunities employer. We continuously work to shape and live a corporate culture where everyone feels welcome. At Dr. Oetker, your personality and qualifications are what count. Not gender, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation, and identity.