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- Tasks: Support HR teams and manage the employee lifecycle in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join 2 Sisters Food Group, a leading UK food manufacturer with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 35 days annual leave, health support, and a pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative culture focused on innovation and people.
- Qualifications: Previous HR experience and knowledge of UK employment law are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to modernise HR processes and contribute to meaningful change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
HR Advisor – Carlisle
Location: Cavaghan & Gray, Carlisle
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Join a business that feeds the nation – and supports its people by shaping the future of food – and the people behind it.
About 2 Sisters Food Group
At 2 Sisters Food Group, we\’re one of the UK\’s largest food manufacturers, with a £3 billion turnover and 13,500 passionate colleagues. Our Cavaghan & Gray site in Carlisle is a flagship location, producing over 150 premium product lines for M&S and delivering 115 million units annually.
Carlisle has a proud history of innovation too. In the 1970s, our Carlisle site helped spark the ready meal revolution, launching the first-ever prepared dishes for M&S – including classics like cauliflower cheese, cottage pie and Cumberland pie. Today, we continue that legacy by driving quality, innovation and change, offering employees the chance to be part of something with real heritage and real ambition.
With a proud heritage of innovation and a culture built on collaboration, ambition, and care, we\’re looking for an HR Advisor who thrives in a fast-paced, people-first environment where your HR expertise can make a real difference.
About the Role:
As HR Advisor, you\’ll support the HR Business Partners and be a key trusted partner to our operational teams, supporting the full employee lifecycle from onboarding through to employees exiting the business and helping to shape a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture. The role combines day to day HR advisory and administration duties where you will work closely with managers and colleagues to provide guidance on HR policies, employee relations to include investigations, consultations, disciplinaries, tupe process and providing HR advise on performance, learning and development, absence, and engagement initiatives in a fast-paced values driven environment.
What You\’ll Be Doing:
- Providing proactive expert HR Advisory support across the site, ensuring consistency and fairness in all people matters.
- Advising on employee relations issues including disciplinary, grievance, and absence management.
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, performance and development initiatives.
- Championing wellbeing, diversity, and engagement across the workforce.
- Collaborating with the wider HR team to drive continuous improvement and compliance.
- Ensure fair, consistent application of policies and employment law.
- Partner with managers to drive a positive workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities with Digital skills
- Trusted HR Advisor: Provide expert guidance to line managers on employee relations, absence, and performance management.
Microsoft Teams – Advanced: Used daily for virtual coaching, case discussions, and quick resolution of queries.
SharePoint – Intermediate: Maintain and share up-to-date HR policies, templates, and case documentation securely across teams.
- Data-Driven Insight: Analyse and present people data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Excel – Advanced: Create pivot tables, dashboards, and trackers for absence, ER cases, and KPIs.
Power BI – Intermediate: Build visual reports to present trends and insights to senior stakeholders, supporting strategic decisions. - Transformation & Change: Support organisational change initiatives including restructures, redundancies, and ill health capability cases.
Jotform – Intermediate: Design and manage digital consultation forms and feedback surveys to streamline change processes.
SharePoint – Intermediate: Store and manage sensitive documentation securely during change programmes. - Collaboration & Escalation: Work closely with Strategic HR Business Partners to escalate complex cases and support delivery of people plans.
Microsoft Teams – Advanced: Facilitate cross-functional meetings and share updates in real time.
SharePoint – Intermediate: Collaborate on shared HR plans and track progress on initiatives.
- Process Improvement: Identify and implement enhancements to HR processes and ways of working.
Jotform – Intermediate: Automate routine HR requests (e.g. return-to-work forms, feedback collection).
Excel – Advanced: Analyse process efficiency and model improvements.
SharePoint – Intermediate: Document and version-control updated workflows and SOPs.
What We\’re Looking For:
- Previous HR advisory experience in a fast-paced HR role, ideally within manufacturing or FMCG or similar fast-paced settings.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Excellent communication, coaching, problem solving and relationship-building skills.
- A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with a passion for people.
- CIPD level 5 qualification (or working towards) is desirable.
- We\’re looking for a HR Advisor who can hit the ground running, quickly understand the site, and bring experience, confidence and initiative. Alongside daily responsibilities, you\’ll support projects, analyse data and help turn ideas into action.
- This is an exciting time to join as we modernise our systems and ways of working. You\’ll have the chance to take ownership, contribute to change, and make a real impact on both our people, business and identify and implement opportunities to enhance HR processes and ways of working within your business area.
Why Join Us?
- Work for one of the UK\’s largest food manufacturers with a proud legacy – from launching the UK\’s first ready meals to driving modern innovation.
- Be part of a team that values integrity, respect, and continuous improvement.
- Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment where your voice matters.
- Enjoy a competitive salary, opportunities for real career development and a benefits package that includes:
- Up to 35 days Annual Leave including Bank Holidays
- Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme and Grocery Aid, offering confidential support services 365 days a year
- Company Pension Scheme
- Boparan Restaurant Group Discount
- Cycle2Work Scheme
#meals01
HR Advisor (Carlisle) employer: 2 Sisters Food Group
Contact Detail:
2 Sisters Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor (Carlisle)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific HR challenges faced in the food manufacturing sector. Understanding the unique dynamics of this industry will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of 2 Sisters Food Group, especially those in HR roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your data analysis skills by preparing examples of how you've used data to drive HR decisions in the past. This is particularly relevant given the emphasis on data-driven insights in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with employee relations issues, particularly in a fast-paced environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed such situations in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor (Carlisle)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR advisory experience, particularly in fast-paced environments like manufacturing or FMCG. Use specific examples that demonstrate your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for people and your pragmatic approach to HR challenges. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as advising on employee relations and supporting recruitment initiatives.
Showcase Your Digital Skills: Since the role requires proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Excel, and SharePoint, be sure to mention any relevant experience you have with these platforms. Highlight specific projects where you've used data analysis or digital tools to improve HR processes.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Research 2 Sisters Food Group's values and culture. In your application, reflect on how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. This will show that you're not just qualified but also a great fit for their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at 2 Sisters Food Group
✨Know Your HR Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply in real-world scenarios, especially in a fast-paced environment like manufacturing.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an HR Advisor, you'll need excellent communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with managers and employees in previous roles, particularly during sensitive situations like disciplinary actions or grievances.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Insights
Familiarise yourself with data analysis tools like Excel and Power BI. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to identify trends or improve HR processes in the past, as this role requires a strong analytical approach.
✨Emphasise Your People-Centric Approach
Highlight your passion for people and your experience in fostering a positive workplace culture. Share specific examples of initiatives you've championed that promote wellbeing, diversity, and engagement among employees.