People and Culture Business Partner

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

Location: Kings Hill, West Malling. Fixed-term contract 6‑9 months.

We are looking for a dynamic and commercially minded People & Culture Business Partner to join our UK Head Office team. This is a true partnering role working closely with senior leaders across our Functions to shape people strategy, influence key decisions, and drive performance. You'll be a trusted advisor who can challenge constructively, think strategically, and translate business goals into impactful people initiatives. At the same time, you won't shy away from the operational detail delivering high-quality, hands‑on HR support that makes a real difference day to day.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders and managers to provide pragmatic, commercially focused People & Culture advice.
• Build trusted relationships, coaching leaders through people decisions and organisational challenges.
• Translate people strategy into practical actions that support business performance and engagement.
• Deliver end-to-end support on employee relations matters, including absence management, performance, disciplinary and grievances.
• Provide clear, confident guidance on UK employment law and best practice.
• Support organisational change initiatives and transformation projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve people processes, ways of working and employee experience.
• Use HR data and systems (including Deel and MS D365) to provide insight, support decision‑making and track outcomes.
• Ensure accurate people data and contribute to reporting and analysis.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a Senior HR Advisor role within a commercial, fast-paced environment, demonstrating readiness to step into an HR Business Partner position.
• Strong, hands‑on employee relations experience with solid UK employment law knowledge.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing at management level.
• A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach, comfortable both “doing the do” and thinking strategically.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a changing, ambiguous environment.
• Experience using HR systems and people data to inform decisions.

Desirable

• Experience in FMCG, food production, manufacturing or retail environments would be ideal.
• CIPD qualification (or working towards) would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Discretionary company bonus
• Hybrid working
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance
• Company pension scheme with life insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme with Medicash

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time. We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.