Location: Flexible Department: People Reporting to: People Excellence Lead
About Finsbury Food Group
At Finsbury Food Group, we're proud to be one of the UK's leading speciality bakery manufacturers, supplying some of the nation's best-loved brands alongside our own award-winning products. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplace where everyone can thrive.
The Role
We're looking for an Employee Relations Specialist to join our People team and play a key role in supporting the business to manage people matters fairly, consistently, and in line with employment law and best practice.
This is a hands-on, advisory role where you'll act as a trusted subject-matter expert, triaging and overseeing ER cases, coaching managers, and helping to build strong people management capability across the organisation. Working closely with People Partners and operational leaders, you'll ensure ER matters are handled pragmatically, effectively, and in line with our values, while minimising risk to the business.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Relations Case Management
Triage and manage ER cases, allocating or overseeing cases based on risk, severity, and business need.
Provide clear, balanced advice to managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance, attendance, and conduct issues.
Coordinate tribunal case management, including liaising with ACAS and external advisers.
Ensure cases are managed in line with employment legislation, internal policy, and best practice.
Monitor case progress, escalate risks where appropriate, and ensure agreed timelines are met.
Maintain accurate case records and contribute to ER reporting and insights.
Employment Law & Policy Governance
Stay up to date with UK employment law developments, case law, and emerging best practice.
Review, update, and maintain HR policies, processes, templates, and guidance.
Support the design and rollout of policy changes across the business.
Manager Capability & Training
Design and deliver ER-focused training, workshops, and toolkits to upskill managers.
Coach managers through live cases to build confidence and reduce reliance on HR support.
Promote a proactive, preventative approach to employee relations.
Business Partnering & Risk Management
Work closely with People Partners and leaders to identify people risks and preventative actions.
Build strong, trusted relationships across the organisation.
Identify trends and root causes from ER data and propose continuous improvement initiatives.
Contribute to wider People projects, change programmes, and initiatives.
About You
You'll be a HR or ER professional who enjoys working at pace and influencing positive outcomes. You'll balance legal compliance with commercial pragmatism and bring confidence, clarity, and empathy to complex situations.
Essential
Experience managing a broad range of ER cases.
Strong knowledge of UK employment law and legislative developments.
Ability to coach and influence managers at all levels.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
Desirable
CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards).
Experience delivering ER or management training.
Experience in a multi-site or operational environment.
Exposure to HR systems and ER case management tools.