At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape strategy and support teams in a dynamic operations environment.
- Company: Join Whitworth Food Group, a trusted name in the food industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, company car, enhanced holidays, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with growth opportunities in a stable industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by partnering with leaders and driving positive change.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, strong leadership skills, and a CIPD qualification.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Be the trusted people partner at the heart of Operations, shaping strategy, strengthening capability, and helping teams thrive across operations and distribution.
Location: Primarily based out of Wellingborough or Wednesbury with UK Travel
Salary: Up to £90k depending on experience and skills
Benefits: Company car or car allowance, plus a 10% on‑target bonus with the opportunity to earn up to 20%. In addition to enhanced holiday entitlement, company sick pay, life insurance, health cash plans, family friendly policies, EV/ULEV car scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Hours: Full time Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
The role: Working as a trusted partner to the Operations Leadership Team, you’ll support the Operations People Plan, shaping a people agenda that supports performance, capability and engagement across operations and distribution. You’ll balance strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery, guiding leaders through change while creating an environment where people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
Key responsibilities:
- Partner closely with multiple Operations SLTs, across Whitworth Food Group to influence business and people decisions
- Lead talent, succession, organisational design and workforce planning across Operations
- Coach and support leaders to build strong, confident and inclusive leadership capability
- Champion a positive, safe and engaging employee experience
- Lead complex employee and industrial relations activity, including union engagement and pay negotiations
- Use insight and data to improve performance, engagement and productivity
- Lead and develop the Operations‑aligned HRBP team and contribute as a member of the HR Leadership Team
- Ensuring efficient HR services across all lifecycle activities, and helping to create a positive user experience
About you:
- Proven experience as a Senior HR Business Partner or Head of HR within an industrial, manufacturing or distribution environment
- Confidence partnering with senior and executive‑level leaders, building trusted relationships and influencing effectively
- Strong grounding in strategic HR, organisational development and leadership coaching, alongside hands‑on operational HR and employee relations expertise
- Experience working with unionised and non‑unionised operational teams, including legacy agreements and working practices
- A strong track record of leading complex ER and IR activity, including ET cases, collective consultations and pay negotiations in challenging environments
- Experience leading and developing Operations‑aligned HR teams, spanning talent, engagement, inclusion, wellbeing, performance and communications
- Comfortable supporting customer and third‑party audits in regulated or safety‑focused environments
- A confident, analytical approach, with the ability to interpret data and use insight to inform decisions
- Change leadership and project management expertise, with the resilience to guide leaders and teams through transition
- CIPD qualification (or equivalent); degree in HR, Business or a related field preferred
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel
- HR leadership experience across the employee lifecycle e.g. HR admin, Resourcing, payroll etc
Desirable: Experience of working in regulated industry with food industry experience not essential, but can help.
At Whitworth Brothers Ltd, we’ve been milling quality flour for over 130 years—and we’re still growing strong. Our world class mills coupled with our continued investment in our people and our estate mean we are a market leading business that helps to feed the nation.
Whitworths is now part of the newly formed Whitworth Food Group including KTC (Edibles); The KTC Group is a leading food manufacturer & distributor with headquarters in the West Midlands, serving major national retailers, large food service groups and blue-chip corporations.
Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and we are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and skilled individuals to join our hardworking, talented team. Whether you’re behind the wheel delivering our goods, keeping production running smoothly, or supporting operations from head office, you’ll play a vital role in our success.
Why join our team:
- Stability & Growth: We’re a trusted name in the industry with a proud heritage.
- Team Spirit: Friendly, supportive colleagues who value what you bring to the table.
- Opportunities for Everyone: From drivers and engineers to finance and HR—there’s a place for you here.
- Competitive Pay & Benefits: Because your hard work deserves recognition.
Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply here today and start your journey with Whitworth Food Group!
Whitworth Brothers are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Senior HR Business Partner Operations in Northampton employer: Whitworth Bros Ltd
At Whitworth Food Group, we pride ourselves on being a trusted employer that values our colleagues as the heart of our business. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, we offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits including a company car or allowance, and enhanced holiday entitlement. Our commitment to stability and team spirit ensures that every member of our workforce can thrive in a dynamic environment, making it an excellent place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the operations and distribution sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner Operations in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR and operations space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. At StudySmarter, we believe that understanding what makes a company tick can help you tailor your responses and show how you fit into their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. This will help you demonstrate your strategic HR expertise and hands-on experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Whitworth Food Group family.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner Operations in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in strategic HR, organisational development, and any hands-on operational HR work you've done. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role and how you can help us shape our people agenda. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's leading complex employee relations or improving engagement, we love to see quantifiable results that show how you’ve made a difference.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team at Whitworth Food Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitworth Bros Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s operations and values. Understand their people agenda and how it aligns with your experience in HR. This will help you speak confidently about how you can shape strategy and strengthen capability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've partnered with senior leaders in the past. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing leadership capabilities, as this role requires a strong focus on guiding leaders through change.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions around employee relations and industrial relations activities. Prepare to share your experiences leading complex ER cases or negotiations, showcasing your analytical approach and resilience in challenging environments.
✨Engage with Insight and Data
Demonstrate your ability to use data to inform decisions. Bring examples of how you've used insights to improve performance and engagement in previous roles. This will show that you can balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery effectively.
