At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our HR team to enhance employee experience and support recruitment at McCain.
- Company: McCain Foods is a leading player in the frozen potato industry, passionate about delicious, planet-friendly food.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible holidays, a great pension plan, and opportunities for global relocation.
- Other info: We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HR while working in a supportive, diverse environment with clear career progression.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, and a professional HR qualification.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
HR Specialist – Scarborough, Manufacturing Plant
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences — together. With a customer‑first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
We have ambitious growth business plans at McCain, but we can't achieve those without our people. Our HR team play a huge part in driving our winning culture, and it's the role of our HR Specialist to get under the skin of the people behind the potatoes. This is a hybrid role, with three days per week based on site, giving you the balance of flexibility and the on‑the‑ground presence needed to really connect with our people.
As an HR Specialist you will work alongside our people leaders across the Scarborough Manufacturing Plant to make McCain a great place to work. Your responsibilities will include many elements of HR, including Employee Relations, Recruitment, and day‑to‑day HR Employee Lifecycle processes and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Support leaders and employees with employee and labour relations issues, including investigations, managing appeals, addressing misconduct, issuing discipline, suspension, and/or termination.
- Execute local recruitment initiatives: manage job requisitions on the recruitment portal (Success Factors), run job events and fairs, proactively source candidates, and maintain the local talent pool with an ongoing focus on early talent.
- Manage employee movement and contract management, including updating personal information.
- Share insights and trends with key stakeholders to drive more effective and efficient HR service delivery.
- Manage HR compliance (right‑to‑work applications, GDPR storage, auditing requirements).
- Identify and implement continuous improvement activities to enhance HR processes.
- Create impactful relationships between HR Specialists and the Global Employee Experience Centre to provide a world‑class service to employees.
- Partner with other departments outside your normal business areas as part of a one‑team approach.
- Develop your career in HR, with a clear path to HR Business Partner locally and globally.
What You’ll Need to Be Successful
- Professional HR qualification.
- Experience within a FMCG manufacturing plant.
- Strong employee relations experience, including managing conduct and absence.
- Strong stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work at pace in a high‑pressure, demanding environment.
- Excellent recruitment experience, including talent attraction and volume hiring.
- Good administrative skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Self‑motivation and ability to work independently.
Benefits
- Private healthcare.
- Excellent salary‑sacrifice pension scheme – company matches up to 12% of your salary.
- 25 days’ annual leave from day one plus bank holidays, increasing with service, and the option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year.
- Life insurance cover.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Medicash health cash plan with virtual GP and wellbeing support.
- TELUS Health employee and family assistance programme.
- Salary‑sacrifice cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Paid ‘Chips In’ volunteering day.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows.
About the Team
This role reports directly to the HR Business Partner (HRBP) and sits within our wider Regional HR team. The Regional HR team brings together HR Specialists and HRBPs across our four plants at Hull, Wombourne, Whittlesey, and Scarborough, working collaboratively to share best practice and ensure every site has access to a strong, connected HR network.
Equal Opportunity
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family‑owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree that this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Location: Scarborough, England, United Kingdom
Company: McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd
Job Family: Human Resources
HR Specialist employer: McCain Foods
McCain Foods is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Whittlesey where innovation and teamwork thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring personal and professional growth while contributing to high-quality food production. With a commitment to diversity and a supportive culture, McCain Foods stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with McCain's company culture and values. Understanding their commitment to employee experience and continuous improvement will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of McCain, especially those in HR roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company's HR practices and what they look for in candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in employee relations and recruitment. Tailoring your stories to reflect the fast-paced environment of FMCG manufacturing will make a strong impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on HR trends and best practices, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and solutions in HR will show your commitment to the role and the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant HR experience, particularly in employee relations and recruitment. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand the role and its requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for HR and your understanding of McCain's culture. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as managing employee relations or executing recruitment initiatives.
Showcase Your Qualifications:If you have a professional HR qualification, make it prominent in your application. Also, include any relevant training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to the HR field.
Highlight Soft Skills:In your application, emphasise your soft skills such as stakeholder management, communication, and the ability to work independently. These are crucial for the HR Specialist role and will set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods
✨Know Your HR Fundamentals
Brush up on your HR generalist knowledge, especially in areas like employee relations and recruitment. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your understanding of these concepts.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
McCain values strong relationships within their teams. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully managed stakeholder expectations or resolved conflicts, highlighting your communication and interpersonal skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Recruitment Experience
Since the role involves executing local recruitment initiatives, be ready to talk about your previous recruitment experiences. Discuss how you’ve sourced candidates and managed talent pools, particularly in a fast-paced environment.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
McCain is looking for someone who can enhance HR processes. Think of examples where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented improvements. This will show your proactive approach and commitment to making HR a better experience for employees.
