Senior HR Manager, Supply Chain Europe in Weybridge

CHEP helps move more goods to more people in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share‑and‑reuse business model the world\’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact.

What does that mean for you? You\’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere and small enough to get you there sooner. You\’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You\’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work‑life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.

Job Description

The Senior HR Manager will provide HRBP support and guidance to the Supply Chain organization. Managing a team of four HR Generalists, this role will focus on delivering HR services to our Supply Chain colleagues based in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Nordics, Spain & Portugal. This population includes office, field and plant‑based colleagues, approximately 1,270 employees across 8 countries.

The role will focus on key HR activities including strategic workforce planning, talent management, employee wellbeing & engagement programmes whilst ensuring day‑to‑day operational HR support is provided to people managers and employees. This role will also support and lead HR transformational programs across our Differentiating Markets Supply Chain organization.

Key Responsibilities May Include

• Partner with business leaders and HR Business Partners to develop and implement people and organizational strategies that enhance business performance.
• Act as a key point of contact for all employees regarding HR queries, ensuring timely resolution and where necessary direct interaction with HR Operations teams.
• Build strong relationships with leadership teams providing coaching and advice on people‑related matters to influence decision‑making and promote employee engagement.
• Oversee the entire employee lifecycle from talent acquisition to retirement ensuring adherence to HR policies and collaboration with the wider HR team for seamless processes.
• Lead the implementation of organizational design initiatives including workforce planning, talent management and succession planning to support business objectives.
• Proactively manage and resolve employee relations issues by conducting thorough investigations and driving cases to resolution, maintaining compliance and mitigating risks.
• Coach and mentor a team of HR professionals, driving development and ensuring the team consistently meets organizational goals and HR best practices.
• Monitor the effectiveness of HR initiatives and programs ensuring alignment with broader business strategies and recommending improvements where necessary.

Major/Key Accountabilities

• Act as HR Business Partner to the senior European Supply Chain Leadership team in the Differentiating Markets team (1 VP & 3 Directors).
• Manage a team of four HR Generalists to deliver proactive HR Service Delivery to our 23 CHEP owned plants & OSS sites based in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands & Spain.
• Lead and implement HR transformational programs across our Differentiating Markets Supply Chain organization including the digitization of the plant network, implementation of Kronos/UKG Pro and the Women in Plant program.
• Lead employee and labour relations across our plant network, working closely with local country HR Managers in France, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands & Spain to align strategy and implementation of labour agreements with unions and workers councils.
• Work with Supply Chain leaders to create a strategic plan for pay negotiations with internal and external union W/C bodies.
• Provide support coaching and advice to the HR Generalists on ER/LR case management to minimise risk to the business; be point of escalation for ER cases including appeals, grievances and disciplinary hearings.
• Ensure all HR policies and processes are up‑to‑date and compliant with current legislation in collaboration with the European ER Senior Manager and local HR Managers.
• Act as a change leader and coach to Supply Chain Leadership teams when implementing organisational automation and other change programmes across the plant network.
• Develop people‑management capabilities through the First Line Leading program, Employee Relations/HR Skills Capability, one‑to‑one coaching and IDP implementation using central Talent & Learning interventions.
• Work closely with the Capability lead for Differentiating Markets to align development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Brambles Talent Acquisition to ensure a robust recruitment and sourcing strategy for plant vacancies; identify critical roles and succession plans, including build‑and‑buy plans.
• Promote and lead Inclusion & Diversity programs, with a key focus on the Women in Plants initiative.
• Develop KPI and HR/ER data reporting for the European team, analyzing trends such as turnover and absence rates to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Take ultimate ownership of the employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement, ensuring alignment with group processes and procedures.
• Monitor sickness across all areas, aiming for < 2 % annual average.
• Partner with HR Operations to enhance service delivery, focusing on payroll, Kronos and AskHR delivery.

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional HR qualification in the local country.
• Bachelor\’s degree or equivalent.

Desirable

• Accredited coaching qualification.
• Change management qualification.

Experience

• Experienced HR professional with exposure across leadership development, talent management, organisational design and employee engagement in a fast‑paced manufacturing/production environment.
• Experienced ER/LR leader in a highly unionised manufacturing/industrial environment.
• Experience supporting and implementing large‑scale HR transformation in a technical manufacturing environment with a focus on high operational standards.
• Experience working within a global matrix‑based organisation, able to influence and navigate complex organisational and cultural differences.
• Experience outside the HR function is a distinct advantage.
• Proven track record in programme management.
• Strong cultural/change‑management experience supporting highly technical groups.
• Strong HR analytical skills, designing and implementing KPI reports.

Skills and Knowledge

• Business focused and pragmatic, open and communicative style, building strong relationships with senior stakeholders based on trust.
• Resilient HR leader capable of negotiating and influencing internal and external union officials on ER case management, annual pay negotiations and plant transformation programmes.
• Stakeholder‑management ability to influence, coach and enhance people focus among highly technical stakeholders.
• Strong focus on change management and cultural development.
• Creative, collaborative, energetic and resourceful.
• Think about business beyond HR.
• Challenge courageously but respectfully.
• Quickly establish credibility and build strong working relationships.
• Problem‑solve both operational and strategic issues with common sense and commercial acumen.
• Manage multiple stakeholder priorities effectively.
• Results‑oriented, tenacious approach to delivery and quality of output.

Languages

• Essential: English
• Desirable: Other European language

Perks

• Certified Top 17 Global Employer.
• Annual bonus (typically 20 %).
• Car allowance.
• Generous share scheme.
• Private healthcare (family cover).
• Flexible / remote working.
• 25 days holiday statutory leave with option to buy/sell 5 days.
• Up to 10 % company pension.
• Life Assurance & Employee Assistance Programme.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly with respect and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing their potential. This means harnessing the unique skills and experience that each individual brings and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, or basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Individuals fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as Brambles or CHEP representatives have scheduled interviews and offered fraudulent employment opportunities with the intent to commit identity theft or solicit money. Brambles and CHEP never conduct interviews via online chat or request money as a term of employment. If you have a question as to the legitimacy of an interview or job offer please contact us at [contact information].

Remote Type

Hybrid Remote