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- Tasks: Drive innovative HR strategies and enhance employee experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking family-owned business with over 5,500 employees.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong support for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people management and drive change in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in HR with focus on operations and compensation; degree required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an HR Business Partner with a strong focus and passion for Reward and ER, to work in partnership with key stakeholders and business unit leaders, in order to create divisional people plans/strategies aligned to the goals and objectives of the business, driving change whilst ensuring the realisation of competitive advantage through leading people management practices. We are looking for someone who is passionate about adding value to the business through innovative HR design and solutions. If you are eager to influence and demonstrate great HR operations at its best, in an extremely fast paced environment, then this is the position for you.
About Us: You will be joining a forward-thinking family-owned business which began life in 1917, growing from humble beginnings into a company that now employs more than 5,500 people with a turnover of £1.1 billion. A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd is the 60th largest privately owned business in the UK. Food and drink have always been the lifeblood of A.F. Blakemore and the business now entails retail, wholesale distribution, food service, fresh meat, logistics and shop fitting divisions.
Key accountabilities:
- HR Operations
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with the senior members of HR and the Exec to align operational and reward strategies with overall business objectives.
- Reporting: Generate and analyse key HR metrics and reports (e.g., turnover, absenteeism, compensation data) to identify trends, inform decision-making, and drive operational improvements.
- Process Management: Design, implement, and continuously improve HR operational processes (e.g., onboarding, offboarding, employee data changes, HR systems utilisation) to enhance efficiency and improve employee experience across the business.
- System Integrity: Act as a key user and administrator for MyHR, ensuring data accuracy, security, and compliance with data protection regulations.
- Compliance: Oversee and ensure compliance with all employment laws and company policies, particularly regarding operational HR documentation and reporting.
- HR Support: Provide high-quality, timely support and guidance to employees and managers on HR policies, procedures, and MyHR system usage, acting as the escalation point for complex operational queries.
- Pay & Compensation Management: Manage the execution of annual compensation cycles (e.g., salary review, bonus schemes), ensuring internal equity and market competitiveness for all roles.
- Benefits Administration: Administer company benefits programs (e.g., health insurance, retirement plans), including enrolments, terminations, and employee communication.
- Benchmarking & Analysis: Conduct regular market salary benchmarking and job analysis to inform compensation decisions and structure the pay and job evaluation grades.
- Incentives & Recognition: Partner with business leaders to design and implement effective incentive, bonus, and recognition programs that drive performance and align with business goals.
Qualifications & Skills
- Experience: Minimum of 4 years experience in HR, with a significant focus on HR Operations, HRIS management, and Compensation & Benefits.
- Education: Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
- Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency with HRIS/HRMS platforms (e.g., Access, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP) and strong MS Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of employment law, compensation principles, and benefits administration.
- Analytical Skills: Proven ability to analyse complex data, identify trends, and develop practical, data-driven solutions, with proven actionable information.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex reward/operations topics clearly to various senior levels within the business.
- Integrity: High level of discretion and ethical handling of sensitive and confidential information.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive and manage ambiguity in a dynamic, high-volume environment.
What's in it for you?
- Excellent benefits package including:
- Company Car
- Holiday, Maternity and Paternity leave and pay in excess of statutory entitlements
- Develop your skills and capability in a highly supportive and multi-diverse culture
- Outstanding Training & Development
- Gain hands-on experience in a high volume, fast paced convenience store
- Generous staff discount in all our SPAR stores (excl. Alcohol & Cigarettes)
- Proactive promotion of internal candidates
- Early access to your pay through EarlyPay
- 24/7 access to your payslips and Rotas via HR/Payroll portal
- Wellbeing support - access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice
- Company Pension Scheme NEST pension scheme
- Company Life Insurance worth 1 x Annual Salary and 6 x Annual Salary with Company Pension Scheme
- Extra Holidays - Purchase Scheme
- Cycle to work - Bicycle purchase scheme
- Long Service Awards
Inclusive environment: as a Disability Confident Committed employer we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
HR Business Partner (ER & Reward) employer: AF Blakemore
Contact Detail:
AF Blakemore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner (ER & Reward)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the hunt for an HR Business Partner role, and who knows? They might just have the inside scoop on openings that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their culture, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your experience in HR operations and how you can add value through innovative solutions. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our forward-thinking family-owned business.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner (ER & Reward)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in HR operations, reward management, and stakeholder collaboration. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for HR and how you can add value to our team. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past achievements that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves generating and analysing HR metrics, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. Include any relevant experience with data analysis and reporting to demonstrate your capability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow our preferred process!
How to prepare for a job interview at AF Blakemore
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HR operations, especially around employee relations and reward strategies. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in compensation and benefits, as well as any relevant employment laws. This will show that you're not just passionate but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of key HR metrics you've analysed, and be ready to explain how those insights led to operational improvements. This is crucial for a role that involves generating and analysing HR reports.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in collaborating with senior leaders and stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've aligned HR strategies with business objectives in the past. This will highlight your ability to work in partnership and influence decision-making.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the company's approach to employee engagement or how they measure the success of their reward programmes. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.