Senior Talent & Leadership Manager

The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.

Company Description

At Valeo Foods Group, we’re not just about food – we’re about fueling growth, driving transformation, and shaping the future of our people. With a footprint spanning 106 international markets, over 85 brands, and backed by Bain Capital, we’re on an ambitious path to double in size over the next five years. To make this happen, we need exceptional talent to lead the charge – that’s where you come in.

We’re looking for a Senior Talent & Leadership Manager to join our newly expanded Group Talent team. This is a brand-new role – giving you the unique opportunity to shape and scale talent strategies from scratch, build leadership capability, and leave a lasting impact across a growing business.

Job Description

In this role, you will lead and deliver group-wide talent initiatives, working closely with divisional HR Directors and senior leaders to strengthen our talent pipeline, enhance leadership effectiveness, and drive a high-performance culture. You’ll oversee key areas such as performance management, talent review, and leadership development, while also supporting broader HR transformation projects, including M&A integration. With Group Talent still in its early stages, this is a rare opportunity to help build frameworks, processes, and programs from the ground up.

What You’ll Do

• Performance Management: You’ll design and roll out a consistent, scalable performance management framework that drives business impact. This includes equipping HR teams and managers with the tools and training needed to embed effective performance practices. You’ll also support the configuration of HR systems to streamline processes and improve data insights.
• Talent Review & Succession: You’ll lead the annual talent identification process, expanding its reach across the business. By working with divisional HR teams, you’ll help strengthen the internal talent pipeline, reducing reliance on external hires and boosting retention. You’ll also use data insights to inform talent strategies and provide meaningful recommendations to senior leadership.
• Leadership Development: You’ll design and deliver leadership programs from scratch, building capability across all levels. This includes creating tailored development pathways for emerging leaders, mid-level managers, and senior executives. You’ll also support senior leadership teams in driving cohesion and high performance, particularly as they shape the business for future growth.

The role is based in Pontefract with a hybrid working model (3+ days in the office). We’re also open to candidates based at one of our other UK sites, with regular travel to London required.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and is excited by the opportunity to build and scale initiatives from new. You’ll be a strategic thinker with strong project management skills, capable of shaping big-picture strategies while delivering practical, hands-on solutions.

You’ll need to be comfortable influencing and partnering with senior stakeholders across a matrixed, international organisation. Strong communication skills and the ability to balance global consistency with local flexibility will be key. You should also be data-savvy, able to use insights to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.

Additional Information

At Valeo, you’ll be part of a business with bold growth plans and a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and impact. You’ll have the chance to shape key talent strategies, influence at a senior level, and contribute to building a high-performing organisation that’s fit for the future.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a lasting impact and help drive the next phase of Valeo’s growth, we’d love to hear from you.