Human Resources Specialist in Manchester

WHO WE ARE: Soul Foods Group is a leading multinational quick-service restaurant franchisee. Founded in 1985, we are a family-owned business that has rapidly grown to own and manage almost 400 restaurants across the U.K. and Canada. Our mission is to make a difference to people’s lives, their opportunities and their communities through great tasting food and coffee.

OUR MISSION: To make a difference to people's lives, their opportunities, and their communities through great tasting food and coffee.

OUR VISION: To build a global food and coffee business, rewarding an engaged and diverse workforce with career and life opportunities, connecting with communities through great tasting food and coffee, and making a difference by giving back in abundance.

MORE ABOUT THE ROLE: We are looking for two experienced HR Specialists to lead and drive the HR function across our Starbucks and Food brands (including Taco Bell and KFC). In this role, you will partner closely with Brand Leaders and area teams to deliver impactful people strategies that enhance performance, engagement, and culture, aligning with both brand-specific and wider company goals. You will also support brand-led people initiatives as needed. This is a mid-senior level role, reporting directly to the UK Senior HR Manager. It is a full-time, 40-hour per week role, with a salary range of £45–60k per annum, depending on experience and brand headcount. The role is field-based, with travel across England 60–70% of the time to visit sites. We are particularly interested in candidates based in Manchester or Liverpool but will also consider those with excellent access along the M62 corridor to visit our South stores and Soul/Equity Brand Head Offices. Please note that due to the majority of our Stores and Restaurants being based in the North West and North East; we are only able to consider candidates as south as Mansfield and as north as Huddersfield. Flexibility is required to work evenings, Bank Holidays and weekends, depending on workload and case requirements.

If you are a hands-on, strategic HR professional with a passion for delivering people strategies in a fast-moving retail/food/hospitality environment, we would love to hear from you.

YOU WILL DO:

• Provide customer focused HR Leadership & Business Partnership
• Shape and deliver People Strategy & Projects
• Lead Talent Management & Workforce Planning
• Manage Employee Relations & Compliance
• Champion Performance, Engagement & Culture

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Be a strategic influencer
• Be able to drive change
• Use initiative and take accountability for making data driven, outcome focused decisions.
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness
• Essential - Minimum CIPD level 5 (or working towards) or relevant experience
• Essential - Full, clean UK Driving Licence and flexibility to travel
• Essential – Permanent Right to Work status in the UK without the requirement of sponsorship
• Essential – Proven track and evidence of high-volume and complex employee relations management.
• Essential - Strong knowledge of UK employment law
• Essential - Proven HR experience in a fast-paced, multi-site environment (food, retail, FMCG preferred).
• Desirable – Experience working with external stakeholders and equity brands partners

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• Part of a great team & the Soul family
• 25 Holidays, plus Bank Holidays
• Company Car
• Life Assurance
• Private medical
• Training & Development opportunities including Apprenticeships at every level!
• Joining an established, successful, and growing franchise.

Soul Foods Group are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all colleagues. If you do require any reasonable adjustments or support during the application process; please contact soulcareers@soulfoodsgroup.com. Your data will be processed in accordance with Soul Foods Group of companies Data Privacy Notice for New Applicants.