People Services Manager

People Services Manager

Woking Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the People Services team and support managers with expert guidance.
  • Company: Impact Food Group is redefining school catering for healthier student meals.
  • Benefits: Flexible salary, fantastic benefits, and a positive work culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-driven company focused on social change.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HR advisory roles and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to improving student lives across the UK.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Role: People Services Manager

Making sure you fit the guidelines as an applicant for this role is essential, please read the below carefully.

Salary: Flexible & Fantastic Benefits

Location: Woking

People Services Manager

At Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day.

Through our industry-leading brands — Innovate, Hutchison, Cucina, and Chapter One — we cater for over 550,000 students and operate in more than 800 schools nationwide, growing every year.

We’re now looking for a talented and highly organised People Services Manager to lead our Shared Services team and support our operational managers with expert people guidance. If you’re ready to make a real impact in a company that’s redefining what it means to work in catering, this is your moment.

Guided by our values, integrity, bold, impactful, integrity, and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of.

What you’ll be doing

As People Services Manager, you’ll play a dual role: working with a Head of People / People Director and acting as a trusted advisor to a new operational region in our business, and leading our People Services Coordinators to deliver exceptional service across the employee lifecycle. You’ll ensure our people processes run smoothly, our team is supported and developed, and our managers are empowered to lead brilliantly.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Providing timely, practical guidance to empower managers to lead fairly, consistently, and brilliantly.

Advising and supporting managers through formal investigations and hearings, ensuring every step is handled with care and integrity.

Guiding and coaching on short- and long-term sickness cases, including Occupational Health referrals and reasonable adjustments to contribute to a positive culture where employees feel supported.

Supporting capability procedures and performance improvement plans that help people grow and succeed to make a difference and improve knowledge.

Collaborating with People Business Partners to spot trends and shape proactive people strategies that are decisive and challenge the norm.

Taking the lead, collaborating with the wider People department to process employees transferring via TUPE at peak periods and succeeding as a team.

Lead and support the development of the team of People Coordinators. Ensure the timely response to general employee enquiries and action taken on maternity, paternity, flexible working, and probationary period enquiries from employees and managers across our entire operation.

More about you –

Proven experience in a People/HR Advisory role, ideally in a fast-paced, operational setting.

Proven experience in leading a team – setting objectives, leading by example and establishing best practices.

Excellent communication and leadership skills—you know how to coach, guide, and inspire.

Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and people practices, including TUPE processes.

Confidence in managing ER cases end-to-end, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, and capability.

Considerate and ready to both learn from and share your knowledge with colleagues to be part of a fantastic People Team.

If you’re a collaborative, solution-focused HR professional who thrives in a busy and purposeful environment, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team making a genuine difference in the lives of students across the UK

People Services Manager employer: Impact Food Group

At Impact Food Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just a school caterer; we are dedicated to fostering a positive food culture and making a meaningful social impact. Located in Woking, our vibrant work environment encourages collaboration and innovation, offering flexible salaries and fantastic benefits that support employee well-being. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to integrity and community, joining our team as a People Services Manager means being part of a mission-driven organisation that values your contributions and empowers you to make a real difference in the lives of students across the UK.
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Contact Detail:

Impact Food Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land People Services Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in people management and HR practices, especially in the catering industry. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Impact Food Group or similar organisations. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be a great advantage when discussing your fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage employee relations effectively. Being able to articulate these stories will showcase your skills and make you stand out as a candidate.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the values and mission of Impact Food Group thoroughly. Understanding their commitment to creating a positive food culture will help you align your responses and show how you can contribute to their goals during the interview process.

We think you need these skills to ace People Services Manager

People Management
HR Advisory Skills
Knowledge of UK Employment Law
TUPE Process Expertise
Employee Relations Management
Coaching and Mentoring
Performance Management
Conflict Resolution
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Organisational Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Collaboration and Teamwork
Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the People Services Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven experience in a People/HR Advisory role, particularly in fast-paced environments. Provide specific examples of how you've led teams and managed employee relations cases.

Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your excellent communication and leadership skills in your application. Use concrete examples to illustrate how you have coached and inspired others in previous roles.

Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a compelling cover letter that reflects your understanding of Impact Food Group's mission and values. Explain why you're passionate about creating a positive food culture and how you can contribute to their goals.

How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group

✨Understand the Company Culture

Before your interview, take some time to research Impact Food Group's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to creating a positive food culture and how they aim to make a social impact. This will help you align your answers with their ethos during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a People Services Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed challenging situations. Highlight how you set objectives and inspired your team to achieve them.

✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life HR scenarios. Think about how you would handle formal investigations, sickness cases, or performance improvement plans. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly.

✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Employment Law

Since the role requires a strong understanding of UK employment law, be prepared to discuss relevant legislation, especially around TUPE processes and employee relations. Showing that you are well-versed in these areas will reinforce your suitability for the position.

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