HR Business Partner - Carlisle, UK&I

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast-growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic brands, infrastructure, and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to consumers and embody our Winning Traits. To succeed at pladis, you need to be purpose-led, resilient, and positive. We expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration, and demand accountability. If that resonates with you, pladis offers global ambition, a clear vision, and opportunities to learn and make an impact.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide HR leadership and business partnering support at the site by working closely with the site leadership, management teams, and the wider UK&I HR function to ensure all HR activities add value in line with site plans and strategies, aligned to regional HR priorities.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop strong, credible relationships with the Site Leadership Team and help set site direction and strategy, leading on people strategy creation.
• Own the HR agenda for the site/functions, covering performance management, talent development, engagement, reward, and industrial relations.
• Partner with senior leaders to develop leadership capability and provide coaching on people-related matters.
• Identify key areas impacting business performance and work with teams to build action plans for improvement.
• Coordinate with other HR teams such as Recruitment, Employee Relations, L&D, and Wellbeing.
• Create and align site people plans with strategic priorities, ensuring integration of HR initiatives.
• Build positive employee relations with trade unions, including negotiations and consultations.
• Lead resolution of complex employee relations issues, applying employment law expertise.
• Ensure consistency of HR practices across the UK&I and manage site change plans, including organisation design and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead UK-wide HR initiatives related to Supply Chain and participate in joint union forums.
• Manage line reports including the Site Engagement Lead and Site L&D Coordinator, focusing on engagement, inclusion, diversity, health & wellbeing, and compliance training.
• Monitor HR metrics and oversee audit readiness, ensuring standards are met.
• Oversee recruitment and resourcing decisions, especially for senior roles.
• Manage the HR team and take budget responsibility for HR and L&D budgets.

Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Strong communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Extensive experience in a fast-paced HR environment, with a focus on employee engagement and lifecycle.
• Experience in leading complex reorganisations and developing long-term people plans.
• Background in employee relations, including handling disputes and union negotiations.
• Ability to motivate and engage colleagues, build trusted relationships, and demonstrate sound employment law knowledge.

Desirable

• Experience in manufacturing environments.
• CIPD qualification.
• Trade Union negotiation skills (e.g., GAP Negotiator course).

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity. All roles are filled based on qualifications without discrimination. We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List for recruitment agencies.