At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations, manage employee relations, and drive absence management strategies.
- Company: Join 2 Sisters, the UK's largest food manufacturer with a rich history in ready meals.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, pension schemes, discounts, and wellness support.
- Other info: Hands-on role with opportunities to engage directly with employees at all levels.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, influence company culture, and grow your HR career.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 3 preferred; experience in HR, especially in manufacturing, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Carlisle - Onsite (Mo-Fri)
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
About Us
Joining 2 Sisters means becoming part of the UK's largest food manufacturing group, with a turnover exceeding £3 billion and over 13,500 employees. At Cavaghan & Gray in Carlisle, we produce the highest quality M&S products with a production capacity of 115 million units per year, spread across over 150 different products.
About the Role
The HR Business Partner at Carlisle Meal Solutions is a pivotal leadership role. The HRBP will oversee the operational management of all Employee Relations activities and absence management. You will be the primary point of contact for the HR Advisors and will coordinate their efforts in handling ER cases. This role also involves collaborating with manufacturing managers, team leads, and union representatives to ensure a smooth, efficient, and compliant approach to managing absence, grievances, and ER matters.
As a leader within the HR team, you will be instrumental in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively, disputes are resolved promptly, and absence management is managed proactively. You will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring that all issues are handled fairly, and acting as an escalation point for any complex or unresolved employee grievances.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Business Partnering: Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, helping drive business success through strategic HR initiatives.
- Coordination of ER Activities: Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of Employee Relations activities across the organisation. Work with HR Advisors to ensure ER matters (including grievances, disciplinary actions, and performance issues) are handled efficiently and in line with company policy and legal requirements.
- Absence Management: Drive the strategy and implementation of absence management processes. Work with line managers to monitor, manage, and reduce absenteeism and ensure compliance with absence policies.
- HR Operations: Oversee essential HR functions including benefits management, employee leave, policy enforcement, and disciplinaries.
- Legacy Projects: Manage and address outstanding HR issues, particularly in areas like Compensation & Benefits, while also supporting large-scale changes driven by acquisitions.
- Engagement with Employees: Lead with a "hands-on" approach, engaging with the workforce at all levels - whether it's collaborating with the SLT or rolling up your sleeves on the shop floor.
About You
- Proven experience in HR, with a strong focus on Employee Relations and Absence Management (ideally in a manufacturing, FMCG or industrial setting).
- Strong understanding of UK employment law, including absence management and grievance procedures.
- Experience in managing and coordinating a team of HR Advisors, providing guidance and support.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to build strong relationships with managers, employees, and union representatives.
- Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Ability to remain calm and objective in sensitive or high-pressure situations.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to addressing employee issues.
- Previous experience in a leadership or HRBP role is highly desirable.
Qualifications
CIPD Level 3 minimum (or equivalent) is desirable.
Key Skills
- HR Generalist Experience: We're open to individuals with varying levels of experience. You should have strong, well-rounded knowledge across all areas of HR, including but not limited to: Benefits, Leave, Enforcing Policies, and Disciplinaries.
- Exceptional Business Partnering: Proven experience in business partnering at all levels of the organisation.
- Team Restructuring Expertise: Innovative in restructuring teams with a focus on business optimisation and building trust across the workforce.
- Industry Knowledge: Experience within the food industry is ideal, with experience in FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) being advantageous.
Benefits
- 35 days annual leave
- Company pension scheme with Legal & General or NEST pension
- Death in service benefit, optional - linked to membership of L&G pension
- Company sick pay - after qualifying period
- Free onsite parking
- Exclusive 2 Sisters employee discount platform available via an app offering savings of up to 60% with brands including Asda, Morrisons, Marks and Spencer and Tesco.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Wisdom wellbeing app
- Grocery Aid - employees access to counselling
Why Join Us?
As one of the UK's largest food manufacturers, we provide ample opportunities for career growth and skill development. We emphasise promoting from within, ensuring you can build a rewarding career with us.
HR Business Partner in Carlisle employer: 2 Sisters Food Group
Joining Cavaghan & Gray in Carlisle means becoming part of the UK's largest food manufacturing group, where you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With competitive benefits including 35 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and exclusive discounts, we are committed to fostering a rewarding career path for our employees while maintaining strong community ties and a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Carlisle
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and trends in the food manufacturing industry. Understanding the unique aspects of HR within this sector will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Cavaghan & Gray or similar companies. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with Employee Relations and absence management in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex HR issues in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've previously managed teams or projects. Highlighting your ability to lead HR Advisors and collaborate with various stakeholders will be crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR experience, particularly in Employee Relations and Absence Management. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to handle grievances and manage absence effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the HR Business Partner role at Cavaghan & Gray. Mention how your skills align with their needs, particularly your understanding of UK employment law and your experience in a manufacturing or FMCG setting.
Showcase Leadership Skills:Emphasise any previous leadership experience you have, especially in managing HR teams. Highlight your ability to build relationships with stakeholders and your proactive approach to resolving employee issues.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in an HR role.
How to prepare for a job interview at 2 Sisters Food Group
✨Know Your HR Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law, especially around absence management and grievance procedures. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're well-prepared for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Partnering Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leadership in previous roles. Highlight specific initiatives you've driven that contributed to business success, as this is a key aspect of the HR Business Partner role.
✨Showcase Your Conflict Resolution Abilities
Be ready to discuss past experiences where you've effectively resolved employee grievances or conflicts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and illustrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember that interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and how they measure success in the HR department. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
