At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, drive cultural transformation, and support site leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join pladis, a global leader in biscuits and confectionery with a diverse workforce.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values trust, integrity, and innovative HR solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee engagement and cultural change in a fast-growing company.
- Qualifications: HR leadership experience in manufacturing and strong stakeholder influencing skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are a global biscuits and confectionery business seeking an HR leader to support site leadership, drive people and development, and lead cultural transformation. The role provides credible, values‑led HR leadership on site and partners with site leadership to translate business goals into pragmatic HR plans aligned with wider global and regional strategies. A core focus is building mature, trust‑based relationships with trade unions to support change, productivity, and workforce stability. The role requires visible leadership on the shop floor to influence behaviours and build trust, balancing commercial rigour with empathy and integrity to enable sustainable cultural change.
Responsibilities
- Own the HR agenda for the site, ensuring alignment with the site strategy and wider regional/global HR and business strategies.
- Partner with the Site Lead to develop future‑facing site change plans including organisation design, workforce planning (structures, roles, responsibilities, shift patterns), and manage impacts and risks with mitigations; lead in the implementation of people changes.
- Define and manage the site's people cost base (headcount costs, agency spend, overtime, training budgets) and own the flexible resource strategy (agency & OT spend, hours, productivity).
- Lead the site/functional talent and succession process with the Talent CoE to identify talent and opportunity development and execute talent action plans.
- Own absence management processes and manage informal performance management with line managers guidance.
- Lead and co‑create (with relevant HR CoEs) the people and culture transformational agenda for the site.
- Work with senior leaders and L&D CoE to identify needs and implement leadership and skills capability solutions; plan for future skills with the CoE.
- Provide coaching and development support to site leadership and management on people‑related matters; support change management initiatives.
- Be a critical thought partner to site leaders and drive improvements in employee engagement, including leading the annual engagement survey and action planning.
- Own and drive delivery of People KPI performance and action planning for improvements.
- Own the industrial relations agenda for the site, including union relationships, collective grievances, agreements, and negotiations; build positive employee relations and engage with site trade unions with the General Manager.
- Lead senior hires for the site leadership team (interviews) and ensure adherence to BAU People Cycle.
- Develop offer proposals for all site banded roles and coordinate local recognition platforms with alignment to the Reward CoE.
- Maintain relationships with other UK&I HRBPs to ensure consistency of HR practices; contribute to local CSR, Inclusion & Diversity, and Employee Value Proposition plans in line with central agendas.
- Execute Health & Wellbeing plans, support the Mental Health Ambassador network, and coordinate with Occupational Health & Wellbeing as required.
- Provide the link to other HR functions and Centres of Excellence (Reward, Talent Acquisition, L&D, Talent, Employee Relations, etc.) as required.
Qualifications / Capabilities
- HR leadership experience in a manufacturing/industrial environment with a track record of cultural transformation and change management.
- Deep knowledge of collective consultation, negotiations, and employment law; ability to build constructive, trust‑based union relationships.
- Strong stakeholder influencing skills; ability to coach leaders and balance commercial outcomes with people impact.
- Visible leadership on the shop floor with resilience, credibility, and integrity.
- Experience in coaching and capability building for frontline and middle management in people leadership, performance management, and employee engagement.
- Commercial and operational acumen in manufacturing operations, productivity, safety and cost pressures; able to design practical, value‑adding HR solutions.
- Data‑driven decision making with experience using people metrics and trends to inform progress against engagement goals.
- Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship‑building skills across HR, site leadership and CoEs.
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings are filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law. We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List for recruitment. If you are a recruitment agency, you must be on our PSL terms of business to submit candidates. pladis is one of the world's fastest growing snacking companies with brands including McVitie's, GODIVA and Ülker, and regional brands such as Jacob's, Go Ahead, Flipz, Turtles, BN, Verkade. Formed in 2016, pladis has a 16,000‑strong global workforce and 27 bakeries across 11 countries, with a purpose to bring happiness with every bite.
HR Business Partner - Wigston employer: Job Search Place Limited
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our Wigston site is not only a hub for cultural transformation but also provides ample opportunities for employee growth through leadership development and engagement initiatives. With a commitment to diversity and well-being, we ensure our team members thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to the success of iconic brands like McVitie's and GODIVA.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner - Wigston
✨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 Job Search Place Limited!
✨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 Job Search Place Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner - Wigston
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 Job Search Place Limited. 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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Job Search Place Limited. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Job Search Place Limited'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 Job Search Place Limited
✨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 Job Search Place Limited.
✨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 Job Search Place Limited 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 Job Search Place Limited and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
