Unit People & Culture Manager

Ingka External; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% IKEA discount

Life Assurance (4x)

Enhanced pension contributions

Interest-free loans

Job summary

Ingka External is seeking an experienced People & Culture leader to shape strategy into action, support leadership development, and foster an inclusive environment. The role is hybrid, with a minimum of three days in the office near Peterborough, and you will partner with stakeholders, co-workers, and social partners to drive people priorities and sustainable transformation.

Ideal candidates will have 3+ years' experience in P&C within retail or related sectors, strong relationship-building, and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in People & Culture/Human Resources within retail or related sector.
• Ability to build positive relationships and foster an inclusive culture.
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to articulate ideas clearly to guide relationships at all levels.
• Experience working with stakeholders, co-workers and unions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Guide and implement operational requirements to support the full range of People & Culture strategy, solutions, services and activities.
• Coach, support and build stakeholder competency in applying people and culture solutions.
• Oversee investigations into coworker claims and communicate findings to leadership and Legal as appropriate.
• Monitor and resolve discipline and coworker relations issues with involved parties and unions.
• Ensure compliance with IKEA Employment standards within the unit.
• Participate in strategic business plan development and ongoing decisions.
• Empower coworkers and leaders to develop competence for customer experience and growth.
• Ensure the Total Rewards framework is implemented and compliant.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People & culture

Stakeholder management

Change management

Communication

Job description

Job ID: 369357

Date posted: 01/10/2026

Are you committed to shaping a workplace where people, culture and business grow together? We're looking for an experienced leader who can turn strategy into meaningful action, support leadership development and help create an inclusive environment where every co-worker can thrive. Working closely with stakeholders, co-workers and social partners, you'll help shape people priorities, manage potential risks and deliver sustainable business transformation aligned with IKEA's values.

This is a hybrid role with the necessity to work from the office a minimum of 3 days per week. Due to IKEA Remote Customer Meeting Point location principles candidates are required to reside within 1-hour commutable distance of Peterborough Remote Customer Meeting Point.

WHAT WE OFFER

• The Start Date of employment will be: November 2026
• Full Time: 39 hours per week working 5 days out of 7.
• This role offers a salary starting from £37,775 per annum, based on skills & experience.

WORKING WITH US HAS ITS REWARDS

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

• 15% IKEA discount and discount portal helping you save £100s on high street retailers.
• X4 Life Assurance, enhanced statutory pension contributions and interest free loans ....as well so much more!

Full list of benefits at https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/this-is-ikea/work-with-us/

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO HAVE

• Strategic leadership experience in managing and developing people functions, demonstrating a clear ability to deliver organisational results through effective people strategies.
• A minimum of 3 years experience in People & Culture/Human Resources within retail or a related sector.
• Able to build positive relationships and create a culture where everyone is valued.
• Ability to prioritise and organise your workload in order to make the most efficient use of available time and meet agreed goals and deadlines.
• Ability to express ideas and opinions effectively through clear communication to guide and build effective relationships across all levels.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

• Guide and implement operational requirements, collaborating with stakeholders to support the implementation and secure the consistent application of the full range of People and Culture (P&C) strategy, solutions, services and activities.
• Guide and implement operational requirements to coach, support and build the competency of stakeholders to improve the application of people and culture solutions.
• Oversee investigations into co-worker claims of unfair treatment or management charges of misconduct or non compliance, and communicate findings to manager, P&C Business Partner, and Legal as appropriate.
• Monitor and resolve discipline and coworker relations issues, by working with coworkers, leaders and union representatives.
• Supervise the implementation and follow up on the IKEA Employment standards and compliance in your unit.
• Participate and represent People & Culture in strategic business plan development and ongoing business meetings and decisions.
• Empower coworkers and leaders to develop their competence in the unit to secure a wonderful customer experience, continued growth and development and succession planning within both the unit and country.
• Ensure Ingka Total Rewards framework and processes implementation and compliance in the Unit.

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 as valued members of the team. Come see the wonderful workday where we create a better everyday life for the many