HR Advisor

The HR Advisor will develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues across the business. This is a role with lots of variety and offers a great opportunity to be part of a fantastic team in a business that is growing and thriving. You will champion best practice and timely adherence to company policy in order to ensure the interests of the business and our employees are prioritised. A true partner with managers across the business regarding employee relations, policies and procedures and ways of working.

You will balance supporting, advising, coaching and, where appropriate, influencing and challenging managers to ensure fair and consistent procedures and policies are being followed in line with employment law and apetito's policies. You will take a proactive role in ER cases, including administration and attending meetings such as hearings, grievances, investigations and appeals.

We are looking for a HR Advisor who has proven experience in a HR employee relations role which includes providing expert advice in a fast-paced environment. This role is based on-site in Trowbridge. You will need a driving licence and access to your own transport and be prepared to travel to support operational requirements.

• Advise on all employee relations matters (performance, absence, disciplinary, grievances).
• Provide timely, compliant guidance in line with legislation and policy.
• Manage ER casework to resolution using HR systems.
• Partner with and coach managers to build confidence in handling people issues.
• Support HR projects (e.g. TUPE, redundancies, organisational change).
• Deliver training on key HR policies.
• Maintain and update HR templates and guidance.
• Attend and support formal case meetings.
• Analyse and report on HR KPIs (absence, disciplinaries, turnover, headcount).
• Produce reports from Zellis and other HR systems.
• Continuously improve HR processes, policies and practices.
• Support HR communications and employee benefit initiatives.
• Prepare contracts, offer letters and onboarding documentation.
• Assist with Works Council and employee forums.
• Provide general HR and project support as required.

• Essential: Experience in a HR Advisor role.
• Significant experience of dealing with employee relations casework and advising managers on HR policy, procedures and best practice: absence management, disciplinary, grievance and performance management.
• Experience using HR databases and case management systems.
• Able to plan and prioritise workload and cases.
• Give excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Excellent listening, questioning, persuading and influencing skills.
• Able to handle challenging situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Up to date employment law knowledge.
• Think clearly and stay focused when under pressure.
• Forge relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and adapt personal style.
• Lead by example and demonstrate actions and behaviours required of others.
• Confident using Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word and Excel.
• GCSE's or equivalent Grade C in Mathematics & English.
• CIPD qualified - part or full.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own transport.

• Desirable: Developing HR processes, procedures and policies.
• Experience of coaching managers.
• Advising on restructuring and redundancy situations.
• Experience of a multi-site environment.
• Understanding of TUPE legislation and dealing with TUPE transfers.

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer.
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of. We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers. We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040. Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.