At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Employee Relations, ensuring policies are clear and compliant while supporting managers.
- Company: Join Greggs, a fun and inclusive workplace that values its people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career progression opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and governance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Employee Relations and strong knowledge of UK employment law required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an ER Policy & Compliance Manager to join our central People Function here at Greggs. In this role, you'll be responsible for driving consistency, governance and supporting risk management across Employee Relations (ER) activity in a complex, high-volume operational environment. You'll ensure ER policies and processes are clear, practical, scalable, and applied consistently, while equipping leaders to manage people matters fairly and confidently. Through strong governance, insight, and oversight, you'll help reduce organisational risk, enhance colleague experience, support business performance, and ensure readiness for legislative change.
We can offer you:
- Management Bonus Scheme which is worth up to of your salary
- Pension scheme with matching employer contributions up to 7%
- Colleague discount, up to 50% off our own-produced products
- Profit share - We want everyone to share in the success of the business, so we distribute 10% of our profits to all our colleagues who have at least 6-month service, or more, each year
- 25 days (5 weeks) annual leave, pro-rated, increasing with service (in addition to bank holidays), plus 1 additional floating day
- The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave twice a year
- Colleague share plans, giving you the opportunity to save and invest in Greggs, with the chance to buy Greggs shares at a discounted rate
- Private Medical Insurance which is free for you and subsidised for your dependants
- Income Protection should you become unable to work due to long-term sickness
- Death in service benefit which provides a lump-sum payment equal to 4 times your year's salary
- Virtual GP, Physiotherapy and Lifestyle Consultations - we provide access to a fantastic total wellbeing app for you and your family
- Employee Assistance Programme - we provide all colleagues with access to an EAP helpline providing mental health support as well as financial and legal support
- Savings and discounts, including digital gift card discounts, online cashback, in-store and online coupons and lifestyle offers
- Career progression and learning and development opportunities
- A company who cares about our communities; the environment and being a better business!
About the role:
This is a full-time role, however flexibility in this will be considered. We know that having a work-life balance is important, so we offer our colleagues as much flexibility as possible in line with the needs of their role. The base location for this role is Greggs House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8BU.
What you'll do:
- Design and maintain a consistent, end to end Employee Relations case management framework across the business
- Work closely with our People Managers to ensure ER practices align with business priorities
- Set clear standards, guidance and thresholds for managing ER cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence and performance
- Oversee and maintain effective whistleblowing processes, ensuring trust, visibility and compliance
- Support the development and implementation of Agentic AI capability across our ER Frameworks
- Own the full lifecycle of ER policies, ensuring they remain legally compliant, commercially practical and aligned to operational needs
- Simplify and standardise ER policies and supporting materials to improve clarity, usability and consistency
- Ensure robust document control and governance, with accurate policy management across key platforms, while supporting the adoption of tools and technology (including Agentic AI) to enhance our ER processes
- Identify, assess and mitigate ER related risks, including employment tribunal exposure and reputational risk
- Lead internal ER audits and case reviews to ensure adherence to policy, process and legal requirements
- First contact point for ACAS in relation to EC/ET cases and ensure accurate and timely case tracking
- Contribute to meaningful ER reporting and dashboards to provide insight into trends and capability gaps
- Working closely with L&D, build ER capability across the People Team and Line Managers, developing practical learning interventions focussed on real-world application
About you:
You will fit right into this role if you:
- Bring significant Employee Relations experience from a large, complex, multi-site environment (retail, logistics, manufacturing or hospitality)
- Have a strong track record of managing complex ER cases with a clear focus on risk and compliance
- Can design and implement ER policies and Frameworks at scale, ensuring consistency across field based teams
- Have deep, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice
- Are highly analytical, able to translate data into meaningful insight that drives better decisions and outcomes
- Excel at stakeholder management, influencing at all levels with clear, practical communication that simplifies complex issues
- Bring strong programme or change management capability, with a track record of driving governance and continuous improvement
- Embrace data and technology (ideally including Agentic AI) to improve efficiency, consistency and policy application, while leading through expertise, credibility and a solutions-focused approach
- Are supportive of an inclusive culture – recognising and valuing that difference is good
- Want to develop and are ready to work alongside some great people and have lots of fun on your Greggs journey!
About Greggs:
Here at Greggs, we love what we do, and we have fun! What makes us so special is our culture - how we behave and support each other. Everyone's welcome at Greggs. Whatever their background, preferences or beliefs we want all of our colleagues to feel welcome and able to be themselves at work.
ER Manager - Policy & Compliance employer: Greggs
As a Greggs Manager in Crewe, you'll be part of a vibrant team dedicated to delivering exceptional food service experiences. Our inclusive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing and growth, offering competitive salaries, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional development. With a focus on leadership and operational excellence, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and celebrates diversity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ER Manager - Policy & Compliance
✨Join HR Networks
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✨Make Your Presence Known
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 Greggs!
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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 Greggs.
We think you need these skills to ace ER Manager - Policy & Compliance
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 Greggs. 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 Greggs 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 Greggs. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Greggs'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 Greggs
✨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 Greggs.
✨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 Greggs 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 Greggs and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
