At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the people strategy to scale Simmer's team and culture as we grow.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing businesses focused on healthy eating.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, free meals, pension, and team socials.
- Other info: Work closely with founders in a dynamic, low-bureaucracy environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a thriving company and influence its growth journey.
- Qualifications: Experience in scaling teams and building people systems in high-growth environments.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About Us
At Simmer, we're on a mission to make healthy eating effortless. We create chef-made, high-protein meals inspired by flavours from around the world, making it easier for busy people to eat well every day. What started with £10 worth of ingredients and a handful of family recipes has grown into one of the UK's fastest-growing businesses. In both 2025 and 2026, Simmer was recognised by The Sunday Times as the UK's 5th fastest-growing private company. We're proud of that recognition, but we're much more interested in what comes next.
Simmer was founded by brothers Simmy and Jhai, who built the business alongside university, full-time jobs and countless late nights in the kitchen before taking the leap and committing to it full time. That mindset still shapes the business today. We're a deliberately lean team, which means people here get unusually close to the work, the customers and the decisions that shape the business. We care far more about potential and trajectory than titles and look for people who are curious, commercially minded and willing to take ownership. There's still a huge amount to build, and we think we're only at the beginning.
This is a fully founder-led business with no private equity and no corporate layers. The founders still run the company, set the standard and stay close to the work. For the people who join Simmer, that means real ownership, real responsibility and the chance to work on problems that genuinely move the business.
About the role
We're looking for a Head of People to help build the next version of Simmer. This isn't a traditional HR role. You won't inherit a large People team, mature systems or layers of structure. You'll join a business that has scaled quickly through a small number of highly capable people operating with high ownership, strong judgement and a bias towards action. That approach has created enormous strengths:
- Speed.
- Ambition.
- Commercial sharpness.
- Low bureaucracy.
- Exceptional execution.
The next challenge is different. How do we scale those standards across a much bigger organisation without slowing the business down? How do we increase management capability without adding unnecessary layers? How do we create accountability without creating politics? How do we build a stronger organisation without becoming more corporate? This role sits at the centre of those questions.
You'll work closely with founders and senior leaders to help build the operating foundations behind the next stage of Simmer's growth.
What you'll own
A significant part of this role is raising the quality bar across Simmer. Success won't be measured by the number of policies or processes you introduce. It'll be measured by whether the organisation gets stronger as it grows. You'll help improve:
- who we hire
- how we assess people
- how managers identify potential
- how performance is managed
- how accountability works
- how strong people grow and stay
- how organisational decisions get made
You'll help build:
- stronger onboarding
- clearer progression
- better management capability
- more effective feedback
- organisational planning
- compensation reviews
- leadership development
- performance frameworks
We want to build an organisation that scales without losing what made it successful. The best systems are often the simplest ones. We want someone who understands the difference between structure that creates leverage and bureaucracy that creates drag. Every change should make the business:
- clearer
- faster
- more accountable
- easier to scale
Building stronger leaders
As Simmer has grown, more people have stepped into leadership positions. Some are excellent. Some are still developing. All of them have the opportunity to improve. A major part of this role is helping managers and founders build stronger teams. That includes:
- improving delegation and accountability
- helping leaders scale teams
- improving prioritisation and decision-making
- improving feedback quality
- supporting difficult conversations
- helping founders create stronger organisational leverage
You'll need to be comfortable being direct, operating with ambiguity and balancing empathy with high standards. Some days you'll help solve strategic organisational challenges. Some days you'll help a manager navigate a difficult conversation. Both matter.
You'll probably enjoy this role if...
- You enjoy solving difficult organisational problems.
- You like building from scratch.
- You enjoy working closely with founders.
- You naturally balance empathy with accountability.
- You stay calm under pressure.
- You prefer creating clarity over creating process.
- You enjoy helping ambitious people operate at a higher level.
You're commercially minded, low ego and happy rolling your sleeves up to solve whatever problem is in front of you.
You might be a great fit if...
- You've helped scale teams in high-growth businesses.
- You've built people systems from scratch.
- You've partnered closely with founders or senior leaders.
- You've improved management capability.
- You've navigated ambiguity and rapid growth.
- You've handled performance issues directly and thoughtfully.
You don't necessarily need to come from a traditional HR background. We're much more interested in judgement, commercial instinct and execution than a particular career path.
Why this role?
This is a chance to help shape one of the UK's fastest-growing consumer businesses at a defining stage of its journey. You'll influence who joins Simmer, how people grow, how leaders develop and ultimately how the business scales. A year from now, success won't look like having introduced lots of new policies or processes. It'll look like:
- stronger managers
- better hiring decisions
- clearer accountability
- higher talent density
- better leadership capability
- a business that has grown without losing its edge
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- 25 days holiday
- Free Simmer meals (worth up to £2,000/year)
- Pension
- Perks & discounts platform
- Regular team socials
If you're excited by difficult organisational problems, enjoy working closely with founders and believe great organisations are built through strong people rather than unnecessary process, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of People in Slough employer: Simmer
At Simmer, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that values ownership, accountability, and personal growth. Our lean team structure fosters a collaborative work culture where every employee has the opportunity to make a significant impact, while our commitment to professional development ensures that you can grow alongside one of the UK's fastest-growing businesses. Located in the vibrant Notting Hill area of London, we offer competitive salaries, generous benefits including free meals, and a supportive environment that encourages ambitious individuals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of People in Slough
✨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 Simmer!
✨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 Simmer.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of People in Slough
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 Simmer. 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 Simmer 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 Simmer. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Simmer'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 Simmer
✨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 Simmer.
✨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 Simmer 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 Simmer and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
