At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive employee engagement and shape a positive workplace culture.
- Company: Join Hughes Group, a leader in fresh mushrooms and plant-based products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellbeing support, ongoing training, and fun social events.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee development and workplace culture.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or relevant degree with 5 years HR experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for driving employee engagement, shaping a positive workplace culture, and delivering impactful learning and development initiatives? If so, we'd love to hear from you!
About Hughes Group
With over 65 years of experience, Hughes Group is a trusted name in fresh mushrooms and innovative plant-based products across the UK. We work in close partnership with leading retailers and food service providers and are known for our quality, reliability, and customer-first approach. While we're proud of our heritage, our focus is firmly on the future. As a growing FMCG business, we're investing in innovation, sustainability, and most importantly, our people.
The Role
The HR Manager plays a key role in shaping a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture, placing people at the heart of the organisation. Acting as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, the role leads on employee relations, engagement and development, fostering open communication and resolving workplace matters effectively. The postholder designs and delivers development initiatives, supports performance management, and coaches managers to build strong, capable teams. Combining strategic insight with hands-on delivery, the HR Manager ensures compliance with employment legislation while driving engagement, wellbeing and organisational capability.
Hours: 40 hours / 08:30-17:00 / On Site / Flexible hours as agreed with Line Manager
Salary: Competitive, dependant on experience
Reports to: Operations Director
Location: Dungannon
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted HR advisor, building strong relationships across the organisation and supporting managers on complex employee matters.
- Lead employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and culture initiatives to foster a positive and high-performing workplace.
- Design and deliver people development strategies, including performance management, succession planning, and leadership capability building.
- Oversee fair and consistent application of HR policies, ensuring full compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
- Provide strategic oversight of the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle, aligning talent acquisition with workforce planning and business goals.
- Partner with senior leaders to shape and implement people strategy, organisational design, and change management initiatives.
- Lead, develop, and continuously improve HR operations and service delivery, managing a small HR team.
- Analyse and report on HR metrics to inform decision-making and support business objectives.
Essential Criteria
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 5 qualification and/or Bachelor's degree in HR, Business or related discipline
- Minimum 5 years progressive generalist HR experience
- Proven experience developing and delivering HR strategy aligned to business objectives
- Strong track record managing complex employee relations cases
- Experience leading culture, engagement, and organisational change initiatives
- Experience designing and delivering learning and development programmes
- Solid knowledge of NI employment law and HR best practice
- Advanced MS Office skills
Desirable Criteria
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 7 qualification
- Experience operating within a fast-paced, commercially driven environment (e.g., FMCG)
Our Benefits
- Competitive salary package
- Occupational sick pay scheme
- Annual Salary Review
- Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Free on-site parking
- Positive, inclusive company culture with regular social events (annual BBQ, Christmas party, employee raffle)
Skills: Human Resources, HR Management
HR Manager employer: Hughes Mushrooms
Hughes Group is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee engagement and development. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities, a competitive salary package, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Located in Dungannon, the company not only values its heritage but also invests in its people, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager
✨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!
✨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 Hughes Mushrooms!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
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 Hughes Mushrooms.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager
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 Hughes Mushrooms. 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 Hughes Mushrooms 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 Hughes Mushrooms. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Hughes Mushrooms'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 Hughes Mushrooms
✨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 Hughes Mushrooms.
✨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 Hughes Mushrooms 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 Hughes Mushrooms and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
