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- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives across multiple sites, shaping workforce planning and driving cultural improvements.
- Company: Kepak, a leading food company with a strong growth vision.
- Benefits: Pension, further education support, employee discounts, and wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience in manufacturing or FMCG, with strong knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive and inclusive culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Kepak is a leading food company with 16 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €2 billion. We have developed a portfolio of brands that are successful in the chilled convenience, ambient and frozen meat categories in the UK, Ireland and chosen European markets for both Retail and Foodservice Customers. We’re delighted to be growing our HR team and have an exciting opportunity for a driven HR Manager to join us.
In this role, you’ll report directly to the HR Director and take the lead on the people agenda across our Bamber Bridge, York, and Wigan sites. You’ll shape and deliver our HR strategy, spearhead key initiatives and projects, and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to drive real impact.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead change management initiatives that support growth, efficiency, and cultural improvement.
- Partner with the Site Director and leadership team to shape workforce planning, organisational design, and talent development.
- Oversee ER cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
- Oversee recruitment for all site roles, leveraging Group Recruitment resource & ensuring robust processes and strong candidate experience.
- Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with UK employment law, Kepak Group policies and food industry standards (e.g., BRCGS, retailer audits).
- Support site audits by providing HR documentation and evidence.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and safety‑focused culture across all site teams.
- Lead engagement initiatives, including surveys, action planning, and communication programmes.
Qualifications:
- Must have proven experience as an HR Manager or Senior HR Advisor within a manufacturing, FMCG, or a similar fast‑paced environment.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience managing ER cases and supporting organisational change.
- Confident working with senior leaders and influencing decision‑making.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using HR systems and data.
- CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 preferred.
What can we offer you?
- Company Pension
- Further Education support
- Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
- Bike to Work Scheme - You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income.
- Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees.
- GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program - help with a wide range of topics including mental health and wellbeing support, family and relationship advice, debt management, back to work support, and counselling for all Kepak colleagues and their families.
- Corporate gym membership at Ribby Hall Village.
- BUPA Cash plan free of charge.
HR Manager in Preston employer: Kepak Group
Contact Detail:
Kepak Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Kepak on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in an HR Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. We want to show that we’re not just familiar with the basics, but that we can also bring innovative ideas to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our leadership skills! Think of examples where we’ve successfully led change management initiatives or improved team engagement. This is our chance to shine and demonstrate how we can make a real impact at Kepak.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in being part of the Kepak family.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Manager role at Kepak. Highlight your experience in manufacturing or FMCG environments, and showcase your knowledge of UK employment law. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals. Be sure to mention your experience with change management and team leadership.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact. Whether it's successful ER case management or leading engagement initiatives, we love to see quantifiable results that show how you've made a difference.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kepak Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with Kepak's values and recent developments, especially their growth strategy and acquisitions. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the company and ready to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your experience in managing ER cases and leading change management initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewer to see how you've made an impact in previous positions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, think about how you can illustrate your ability to partner with senior leaders. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced decision-making in the past and how you plan to engage with the Site Director and leadership team at Kepak.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Kepak is looking for someone who can foster a positive and inclusive culture. Be ready to talk about your approach to employee engagement initiatives and how you've successfully implemented similar programmes in the past. Highlight your commitment to creating a safety-focused environment, as this aligns with their core values.
