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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the HR/ER team, manage employee cases, and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Harris Federation, a leader in social mobility and education for disadvantaged youth.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development opportunities and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on future generations while fostering a fair workplace culture.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in HR or related field; 7+ years of experience required.
- Other info: Applications accepted online only; check your junk mail for communications.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Sysco GB (whose UK operating companies include Brakes, Fresh Direct, KFF & Medina), are now recruiting for a Head of Employee Relations (ER) on a full time, permanent basis.
Reporting to the Sysco GB HR Director, the Head of Employee Relations will lead the development and execution of Sysco GB’s ER strategy, focusing on fostering positive employee relations, enhancing colleague engagement, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. As a key business partner, you will shape the ER function to meet both current and future business needs while driving a culture of fairness, transparency, and best practices. This leadership role will oversee ER for approximately 8,800 employees across five business units and drive initiatives across compliance, union relations, and broader ER objectives. You’ll also manage a small team and collaborate with senior stakeholders to align ER strategies with Sysco GB’s business goals.
The role is pivotal in driving simplification, alignment, and strategic focus across Sysco GB’s ER function whilst improving colleague retention, enhancing colleague engagement, and ensuring consistent, high-quality practices across the organisation maintaining a positive and compliant workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy Development: Design and implement ER strategies that align with Sysco GB\’s growth objectives
- Team Capability Building: Enhance the HR team\’s ER capabilities, continuously improving processes for better colleague experiences.
- Policy Development: Lead the development of HR Policies that align with the company’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Ensuring policies reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining talent while promoting an inclusive and engaging workplace.
- Proactive Risk Management: Analyse employee relations trends, proposing proactive solutions to mitigate risks and improve engagement.
- Industry Insight & Guidance: Use market insights and benchmarking to guide ER initiatives.
- External Relationships: Manage third-party legal and supplier relationships, ensuring Sysco GB stays current on trends and remains competitive.
- Executive Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on ER issues, workplace culture, and best practices.
- Collaborative Initiatives: Partner with HRSLT and leadership to drive cross-functional projects, including the Diversity & Inclusion strategies.
- Union Relations & Negotiations: Develop, agree, and maintain a group wide strategy and approach to industrial relations including recognition of trade unions. Ensure compliance with collective agreements and address any concerns, promoting a culture of mutual respect and partnership.
- Mergers and Acquisitions: Lead the due diligence process from an HR perspective during any potential mergers or acquisitions.
- Manager Training & Development: Provide training to HR/Management on ER topics such as conflict resolution, compliance, and best practices.
- Colleague Forum: Take ownership of the Employee Communication Forum and continue to develop the forum and improve colleague engagement within the workforce.
- Compliance & Auditing: Regularly audit industrial practices for global compliance and fairness, ensuring the business meets all legal requirements.
- Governance & Representation: Represent ER on steering and functional committees, ensuring the ER strategy is aligned with organisational priorities.
About You:
You will bring demonstrated experience in a senior Employee & Industrial Relations role, ideally with Trade Union experience within a large, fast-paced environment. Additionally, you should have a solid track record in overseeing HR due diligence during mergers and acquisitions. An ER professional who can align ER policies with business objectives, supporting commercial success and organizational growth. A deep understanding of workforce/labour laws and regulations, ensuring compliance across policies and practices, is critical. This position also emphasises improving the employee experience by continuously refining processes and practices. Strong analytical skills are required, along with experience managing complex projects and leveraging data for decision-making. While not essential, familiarity with Mergers & Acquisitions would be advantageous.
The role is home based, with frequent weekly travel to different sites across GB and comes with a competitive base salary, attractive car allowance, annual bonus incentive plan and private healthcare for you and your family, an additional holiday purchase scheme, award-winning food products at virtually cost price and a range of perks and discounts through our online benefits platform.
Head of Employee Relations employer: Sysco GB
Contact Detail:
Sysco GB Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Employee Relations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific public sector employment laws and regulations that apply to the role. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and fairness in employee relations.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in managing employee relations within a unionized environment. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully navigated workplace conflicts and built strong relationships with unions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to conduct thorough workplace investigations. Prepare to share instances where your impartiality and professionalism led to effective resolutions, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasize your strong communication and interpersonal skills. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with management and employees alike, as fostering a transparent working environment is key to success in this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Employee Relations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Download the Job Pack: Before you start your application, make sure to download the job pack from the careers website. This document contains essential information that will help you tailor your application to meet the specific requirements of the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in human resources and employee relations, particularly in the public sector. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Demonstrate Your Skills: Clearly showcase your skills in conflict resolution, workplace investigations, and communication. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed employee relations and built strong relationships with management and unions.
Use the Online Application System: When you're ready to apply, use the online application system to submit your documents. You can import your CV or use your LinkedIn profile to auto-populate the application. Ensure all information is accurate and complete before hitting submit.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sysco GB
✨Understand the Organization's Mission
Familiarize yourself with the Harris Federation's commitment to social mobility and the impact of education on disadvantaged backgrounds. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with their mission.
✨Showcase Your HR Expertise
Highlight your experience in employee relations, particularly in public sector environments. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex employee cases and resolved conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss your approach to building relationships with employees, unions, and management. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to communicate effectively and mediate disputes.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about past experiences where you had to interpret collective bargaining agreements or navigate sensitive employee issues.
