At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK people agenda in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Company: Global FMCG manufacturer in the hot beverages category.
- Benefits: Autonomy, visibility, and influence in a dynamic workplace.
- Why this job: Shape people strategy while being deeply connected to operations.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5+ and 4+ years of HR experience required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong focus on performance and accountability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a commercial People & Culture Business Partner who thrives in FMCG environments, close to the Managing Director, embedded in operations, and accountable for labour cost, capability, and culture? Do you enjoy operating at pace, balancing cost discipline, people insight, and leadership influence in a business where decisions are made quickly and execution matters? Do you want real ownership of the UK people agenda — where your insight directly shapes cost, capability, and performance on the ground?
MacGregor Black is partnering with a global FMCG manufacturer in the hot beverages category to appoint a People & Culture Business Partner to lead the UK people agenda. This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a commercially minded HR leader who wants real ownership - shaping people strategy while staying deeply connected to the day-to-day rhythm of an FMCG operation.
Reporting into the UK Managing Director and working closely with the senior leadership team, you will act as a trusted people advisor and commercial partner, owning the full UK HR agenda. You’ll balance strategic people leadership with operational delivery, ensuring the organisation has the right structure, capability, and culture to support growth - all underpinned by strong labour cost governance and data-led decision-making. This role offers autonomy, visibility, and genuine influence in a fast-moving, performance-driven FMCG environment.
Key Responsibilities- Partner closely with the Managing Director and UK leadership team, providing commercially grounded people advice
- Own and manage UK labour costs, including budgeting, forecasting, productivity metrics, and variance analysis
- Deliver clear, high-quality people insight and reporting into senior leadership and board-level forums
- Lead core FMCG people cycles including performance management, salary and bonus reviews, talent planning, and benchmarking
- Use people analytics to influence workforce planning, organisational design, and cost efficiency
- Support organisational change, restructures, and engagement initiatives in a dynamic operating environment
- Implement and adapt global HR frameworks to meet local UK business and compliance needs
- Lead complex employee relations cases with a pragmatic, commercially balanced approach
- Work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, and Commercial teams to support business priorities
- Champion culture, accountability, and performance while maintaining strong employee advocacy
- Partner with external providers across payroll, benefits, and statutory compliance
- CIPD Level 5+ qualified (Chartered status advantageous)
- 4+ years’ HR experience, including time as a People Partner / HR Business Partner in FMCG, PE-backed, or high-velocity environments
- Strong experience owning labour cost management, people analytics, and workforce-related financials
- Highly commercial and data-literate, confident working with numbers as well as people
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders and contribute credibly at leadership and board level
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
- Pragmatic, resilient, and delivery-focused — someone who gets things done
- High integrity and discretion when handling sensitive matters
- A collaborative, down-to-earth style that works well on-site and close to operations
- True FMCG exposure with pace, accountability, and visibility
- Direct partnership with the Managing Director
- Ownership of the end-to-end UK people agenda
- A business that values commercial HR, not process for process’ sake
For more information, please contact Alice Redmond.
People & Culture Business Partner in London employer: MacGregor Black
Contact Detail:
MacGregor Black Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Culture Business Partner in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the FMCG space! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that People & Culture Business Partner role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with labour cost management and people analytics. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decisions in previous roles. We want to see that you can bring real value to the table!
✨Be Ready for Quick Decisions
FMCG environments move fast, so be prepared to think on your feet during interviews. Practice answering questions concisely and confidently, showing that you can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. This will demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a high-impact role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you one step closer to that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace People & Culture Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of People & Culture Business Partner. Highlight your experience in FMCG environments and any specific achievements that showcase your ability to manage labour costs and influence culture.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your commercial mindset and how your insights can shape the UK people agenda, making it clear you understand the fast-paced nature of the business.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data-led decision-making, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Include examples of how you've used people analytics to drive decisions or improve processes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black
✨Know Your Numbers
As a People & Culture Business Partner, you'll need to be comfortable with labour costs and analytics. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles. This will show that you can balance people insight with cost discipline.
✨Understand the FMCG Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the fast-paced nature of FMCG environments. Be prepared to share examples of how you've thrived in similar settings, particularly in terms of managing change and driving performance. This will demonstrate your ability to operate effectively in a dynamic atmosphere.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires a blend of strategic leadership and operational delivery. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've shaped people strategy while staying connected to day-to-day operations. Highlight your experience in leading core HR cycles and how they contributed to business success.
✨Build Rapport with Leadership
Since you'll be partnering closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, it's crucial to convey your ability to influence at that level. Think of ways to establish rapport and trust, and be ready to discuss how you've successfully advised leaders in the past.