At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our Southern region in a fast-paced retail environment as a trusted people advisor.
- Company: Join a dynamic retail company focused on performance and engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexibility for regional travel and a chance to thrive in a vibrant retail setting.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact by shaping a strong people culture across multiple sites.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR Business Partnering within retail and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Field People Partner to support our Southern region across a fast-paced, multi-site retail environment. Working closely with senior operational leaders, you’ll act as a trusted people advisor, helping to drive performance, engagement and capability across the region. This is a highly visible role where you’ll spend significant time in stores, partnering with leaders to embed people initiatives, support succession planning and create high-performing teams.
You’ll play a key role in delivering both strategic and operational people priorities, using data and insight to influence decision-making and support commercial objectives. From coaching and challenging leaders to driving consistency in people practices, you’ll help shape a strong people culture across your region. As part of the wider People team, you’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across the function, sharing best practice and ensuring alignment on key people initiatives and business priorities.
Location
Ideally based around Northampton / Milton Keynes / Rugby. Regular regional travel required (3–4 days per week, including overnight stays). This role requires flexibility and comfort with regional travel.
About you
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-moving retail environment and brings strong experience operating in a true Business Partnering role.
- Previous experience in a People Partner / HR Business Partner role within retail or another multi-site environment
- Strong understanding of fast-paced operational businesses and the ability to work at pace
- Proven experience partnering with senior operational stakeholders
- Confidence coaching, influencing and challenging leaders at all levels
- A commercially focused mindset with the ability to use people data and insight to support decision-making
- Experience driving engagement, performance, succession and capability initiatives
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills
- Flexibility to travel extensively across the Southern region, including overnight stays
- Enjoy being close to the business, building strong stakeholder relationships and making a visible impact across a large retail operation
Benefits
Competitive salary, 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service, Thrive Recognition Scheme, Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust, Life Assurance, Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers, Pension Scheme, Access to a wide range of career development. Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business.
We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Field People Business Partner South in Milton Keynes employer: Matalan
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Field People Business Partner in the vibrant Southern region, where your expertise will directly influence our fast-paced retail environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous staff discount and wellbeing support, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, you'll thrive while making a meaningful impact across multiple sites. Embrace the opportunity to develop your career in a role that champions engagement and performance, all while enjoying the flexibility of regional travel.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Field People Business Partner South in Milton Keynes
✨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 Matalan!
✨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 Matalan.
We think you need these skills to ace Field People Business Partner South in Milton Keynes
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 Matalan. 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 Matalan 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 Matalan. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Matalan'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 Matalan
✨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 Matalan.
✨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 Matalan 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 Matalan and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
