HR Business Partner

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into a global leader in plant‑based oils and specialty ingredients, employing more than 4,000 people across the world. At AAK, everything we do is about Making Better Happen™ – better products, better partnerships, and better ways of working. While our ingredients help make everyday products taste better and perform better, our people are at the heart of how we operate and grow. At our Hull site in King George Dock, we are proud to be part of a world‑class manufacturing and innovation hub, supporting customers across food manufacturing, bakery, foodservice and retail. In this environment, our HR team plays a critical role in enabling performance, supporting our people, and ensuring we have a safe, engaged and high‑performing workforce.

AAK LOCATION

This position is based on‑site at King George Dock, Hull, United Kingdom. The role requires a minimum of four days a week on‑site.

About The Role

The HR Business Partner plays a key role in delivering a proactive, visible and hands‑on HR service across our manufacturing site. Working alongside another HR Business Partner and reporting into the HR Manager, this role has a strong focus on Employee Relations case management and day‑to‑day operational HR support, and serves as the first point of contact for HR queries on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Employee Relations & Case Management
  • Lead and manage a full range of ER cases including absence, disciplinary, grievance, performance, capability, conduct and investigations.
  • Provide clear, practical and consistent HR advice to managers in line with UK employment law and company policy.
  • Coach and support line managers to build capability and confidence in people management.
  • Maintain accurate, timely and compliant ER documentation and records.
  • Support the HR Manager on complex, sensitive or high‑risk cases.
• Generalist HR Support
  • Deliver a visible, responsive and customer‑focused HR service to employees and managers.
  • Advise on HR policies, procedures and best practice.
  • Support organisational change, restructures and employee consultations.
  • Contribute to engagement, wellbeing, attendance and retention initiatives.
  • Support continuous improvement of HR processes and ways of working.
• Payroll & HR Administration Support
  • Provide cover and support for Payroll and HR Administration activities when required.
  • Support payroll inputs, starters, leavers and contractual changes.
  • Ensure HR systems and employee data are accurate, compliant and up to date.
  • Assist with audits, reporting and compliance requirements.
• Site HR Presence & Front‑Line Support
  • Maintain a strong, visible presence on site as a key HR contact.
  • Act as first‑line support for HR queries and employee relations issues.
  • Triage and resolve day‑to‑day HR queries efficiently, escalating where appropriate.
  • Build strong working relationships across all levels of the site.
• Collaboration & Team Working
  • Work closely with the HR Manager and wider HR team.
  • Collaborate with Payroll, L&D and Talent Acquisition colleagues.
  • Provide cross‑cover and support across HR team activities when required.
  • Contribute to HR projects aligned with the wider people strategy.

About You

• Proven experience in a generalist HR role with a strong focus on Employee Relations.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing ER cases end‑to‑end in a fast‑paced environment.
• Confident advising, influencing and coaching managers at all levels.
• Experience within manufacturing, FMCG or similarly operational environments.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a practical, solutions‑focused approach.
• Calm, confident and professional when handling sensitive or complex situations.
• CIPD Level 5 qualified or working towards (desirable).
• Experience supporting payroll or HR administration activities (desirable).
• Exposure to site‑based or shift‑based workforces (desirable).

In return AAK offers

• 10% non‑contribution pension.
• Bonus scheme.
• UK Healthcare scheme.
• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays.
• Group life cover.
• Group income protection scheme.
• Ride2Work scheme.

AAK is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued.