At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and partner with management to shape people strategies across the South East.
- Company: Join Allied Bakeries, part of a global food group with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, healthcare, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across multiple sites and a focus on operational insight.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on our people agenda and support business performance.
- Qualifications: Generalist HR experience, strong relationship-building skills, and a degree or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Allied Bakeries are owned by Associated British Foods. ABF is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £20.1bn and 138,000 employees in 56 countries. Our sister companies in ABF UK Grocery produce products under many market-leading household brands, including Jordans, Ryvita, Pataks, Blue Dragon & Silver Spoon. We are proud of our brands: we make top 10 UK grocery brand Kingsmill as well as Allinson’s and Sunblest. The success of our business depends on us having the right people on the team. We are incredibly passionate about our business, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted – it’s pacey and demanding so our people need to have a positive attitude and to want to work inclusively. We take massive pride in what we do, not least in how colleagues based in our bakeries and depots have one of the best safety performance records in the industry.
Our Grocery Service Centre, based near Liverpool, is a hub for transactional activity across multiple ABF companies within the ABF Grocery division. Supporting some of our well-known brands such as Kingsmill, Pataks, Blue Dragon, Jordans, Ryvita and Silver Spoon, amongst others. We deliver Shared Service activities across a wide range of disciplines including Customer Services, Consumer Care, Finance, Payroll, HR and IS.
Overview Of Role
Location: London
We’re looking for a Lead HR Business Partner – South East to join our HR team, partnering with our leadership teams across the region. This is a regional, multi-site role with regular travel across the South East, currently supporting Stevenage and Walthamstow. This is more than a traditional HR partnering role. You’ll be an integral member of the regional leadership team, combining your HR expertise with an understanding of our day-to-day operations to help shape people and business decisions. You’ll also lead and develop a regional HR team of four, including Occupational Health, ensuring colleagues and managers receive consistent and effective HR support.
The role
Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll lead the regional people agenda, partnering with the management teams to develop and deliver people plans aligned with our HR and business priorities. You’ll provide coaching and support across talent, engagement, capability, performance, change and employee relations, while helping managers build their own capability and confidence. You’ll also lead and develop the regional HR team, creating consistent ways of working and making the best use of our resources. Importantly, you’ll spend time in our operations and with our teams, developing an understanding of how our sites work and the opportunities and challenges they face. This operational insight will enable you to contribute fully as a member of the leadership team and ensure our people plans support the needs of the business.
What You’ll Bring
- You’ll be comfortable working as both an HR leader and business partner, building effective relationships and influencing colleagues across different levels and functions.
- Generalist HR experience, including business partnering and change management.
- Experience developing and delivering people initiatives that support business priorities.
- Knowledge of HR principles and their practical application within a business.
- Experience coaching and influencing managers and leadership teams.
- The ability to use insight and judgement to develop practical solutions.
- Experience leading and developing HR colleagues.
- A willingness to spend time within operational environments and across multiple sites.
- A degree or equivalent experience; CIPD qualification would be beneficial.
Reward Package
Competitive salary, with car allowance and bonus opportunity where applicable, subject to scheme terms and eligibility.
Benefits
- Time Off – 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays.
- Bupa Healthcare – Bupa private healthcare (single cover).
- Simplyhealth Plan – Support with everyday healthcare costs, including eye care and more.
- Pension & Life Assurance – Up to 10% employer pension contributions.
- Retail Discounts – Save with a range of major retailers.
- Learning & Development – Opportunities to develop your skills and career.
- Financial Wellbeing – Tools, advice and access to affordable loans.
- Electric Car Scheme – Access to our electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme with Octopus Electric Vehicles.
- Cycle to Work – Save on the cost of a bike through our Cycle to Work scheme.
- Recognition & Rewards – Celebrating milestones and achievements.
- Charitable Giving – Support Save the Children through payroll giving.
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to have a real impact across our South East region — shaping the people agenda, developing capability and working alongside our operational teams to support the performance and continued development of the business.
Lead HR Business Partner in Stevenage employer: Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc
Allied Bakeries is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees in Belfast. With a strong commitment to quality and food safety, the company fosters a collaborative work culture where team members are encouraged to grow and excel in their roles. Employees benefit from flexible shift patterns, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional development, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the food production industry.
Contact Details:
Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead HR Business Partner in Stevenage
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead HR Business Partner in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Allied Bakeries | part of Associated British Foods plc and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
