HR Manager (Hiring Immediately) in Preston

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. Kepak Foods Division has 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 have 5 Manufacturing Sites supported by shared services, with 1000 people supporting our vision to become a transformed, future proofed, profitable €0.5bn Food Business by 2030. Kepak has recently acquired Summit Foods and New World Foods.

We’re delighted to be growing our HR team and have an exciting opportunity for a driven HR Manager to join us. If you’re looking for a multi-site HR position and are passionate about leading a team, and being part of a successful, growing and highly ambitious organisation, this is the perfect next step in your HR career! 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. Across the three sites there are 170 employees in Bamber Bridge, 50 in Wigan and 130 in York. Please note that this role will be based in Summit Foods, Bamber Bridge in Preston. Flexibility will be required for regular travel to our New World Foods sites in York and Wigan.

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 and 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

• 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 – meaning you pay less tax!
• 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