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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and partner with teams to enhance people processes and culture.
- Company: Join CEF, the UK's top electrical wholesaler with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share bonus, company car, and wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of work.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or above, with experience in HR and talent management.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration across multiple locations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join CEF - The UK’s Industry-Leading Electrical Wholesaler. With over 390 branches nationwide, CEF offers a fantastic opportunity for professionals in the electrical wholesale industry who are looking for a brighter tomorrow!
About the Role: We’re seeking an experienced HR Leader to partner with our Professional Services and Support Functions (IT, Marketing, Finance, Procurement & Legal) across the UK. Based within the People, Culture and Talent team, you will work closely with stakeholders across our business to design, develop and deliver end-to-end People processes, practices and policies—enabling teams to make sound, fair and legally compliant people decisions.
In this newly created position, you will provide expert guidance on talent management, employee relations and organisational development, delivering solutions that strengthen capability and support business objectives and functional goals. For functions that operate as part of a global team, the role will contribute to the design of people frameworks and practices that are scalable, consistent and reusable across regions, while allowing for appropriate local delivery and compliance.
You’ll be tech-savvy, AI aware and commercially astute, with strong data analysis skills and the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies. As our Professional Services and Support Functions continue to evolve driven by digital transformation, automation and new ways of working you will play a key role in helping leaders adapt roles, skills and operating models in a structured and people centred way. Equally, you’ll be passionate about building strong relationships and bring a people-centred mindset—helping to close critical gaps while reflecting our purpose, goals and values.
This role will require you to spend time between our Durham, Kenilworth and London offices, meeting regularly with stakeholders across the Professional Services & Support departments.
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience partnering with senior leaders as a trusted People & Culture advisor, aligning people strategies with commercial and operational goals
- Strong background in talent management, including workforce planning, retention, succession planning and performance frameworks in evolving, skills-led environments
- Hands-on experience supporting organisational design, restructuring and change initiatives, with the ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams
- Sound knowledge of employee relations, with confidence advising on complex cases and ensuring fair, consistent people practices
- Data-driven mindset, with experience using people insights to identify trends, assess organisational readiness and translate insight into practical actions
- Proven coaching capability, supporting managers to strengthen leadership skills, performance management and team engagement
- Strong understanding of employment legislation and HR compliance, with the ability to apply this pragmatically in a business setting
- Experience implementing and continuously improving People, Culture and Talent programmes, processes and systems, ideally in changing or digitally evolving organisations
About You
- Qualified to CIPD Level 5 or above
- Generalist HR experience within a dynamic and commercial environment
- Ability to work independently, make decisions and deliver solutions
- A track record of communicating and influencing at all levels of an organisation
- Experience in collaborating across and connecting cross continent teams
- Experience supporting Professional Services functions (e.g. Finance, Marketing, Procurement, IT, Legal)
- Data literate with the ability to interpret insight in context and translate into action
- Capable of operating at both a strategic and operational level
- Flexible, consultative, and adaptable in nature
- Previous experience in a multi-site/multi-channel and ideally multi-country business
- Ability to travel extensively across the UK
Process
- Screening call with Talent Acquisition - Phone Calls - 30 Mins
- 1st Stage Teams Interview with the People, Culture & Talent team - 60 Mins
- 2nd Stage on site interview with the People Culture & Talent Director and Senior CEF Leadership team members - 90 Minutes
Our Package
- Competitive Basic Salary
- Unique uncapped profit share style bonus scheme
- Company Car
- Company Pension Scheme
- Light Up Learning - Our Learning & Development platform
- MySavings - Employee Discount Platform
- Wellbeing platform for physical, mental and financial wellbeing
- Free use of the state-of-the-art private gym at our IT & Marketing Offices in Durham
About Us
City Electrical Factors is the UK’s leading electrical wholesaler, with over 390 stores nationwide, an award winning website and a strong reputation for supplying innovative electrical solutions. We supply the equipment that powers the nation. From over 300+ industry leading brands and our own in-house manufacturing to renewables expertise and on-site support, we’re more than a wholesaler!
Our Values
- We are a caring family - At CEF, we care about our people, as friends, as a community and as one team.
- We are humble & honest - At CEF, we are modest and act with integrity, always holding ourselves to the highest standard.
- We are passionately curious - At CEF, we are resourceful, we encourage our teams to take the initiative with a strong desire to be curious, and seek out opportunities to learn and grow. We work together to find creative solutions.
Our Mission - At CEF, we are more than a business – we’re a family. We are a family that values one another, our customers, and our suppliers — always placing people at the heart of everything we do. We are driven by a clear purpose, guided by meaningful goals, and united by shared values. Together, they give us direction, inspire how we work, and strengthen our commitment to building a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Ready to Apply? If you’re excited by technology, value collaboration and want to make a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you. Click Apply to get started!
People & Culture Manager (HR Business Partner) – Professional Services & Support Functions employer: City Electrical Factors
Contact Detail:
City Electrical Factors Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Culture Manager (HR Business Partner) – Professional Services & Support Functions
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at CEF or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research CEF’s values and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of being a caring family and driving innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've built strong relationships and supported teams in previous roles. CEF values a people-centred mindset, so let that shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interviews, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It’s a simple way to keep yourself top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace People & Culture Manager (HR Business Partner) – Professional Services & Support Functions
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People & Culture Manager role. Highlight your experience in HR, especially in talent management and employee relations, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since we’re looking for someone with a data-driven mindset, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with data analysis. Share examples of how you've used insights to drive people strategies in previous roles.
Be Authentic: We value honesty and humility at CEF, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for building relationships and how you’ve made a positive impact in past positions.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at City Electrical Factors
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into CEF's values and mission. Understand how they align with your own experiences in HR and people management. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders and implemented people strategies that drive business goals.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since the role requires a data-driven mindset, prepare to discuss how you've used data analysis in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've identified trends and translated insights into actionable strategies. This will demonstrate your ability to make informed decisions that benefit the organisation.
✨Be People-Centric
CEF values a people-centred approach, so be prepared to share your experiences in building strong relationships and fostering inclusive teams. Highlight your coaching capabilities and how you've supported managers in enhancing their leadership skills and team engagement.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in HR situations. Think about complex employee relations cases you've handled and how you ensured fair and consistent practices. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
