Job Description
HR MANAGER – FOOD MANUFACTURING, EXETER;
Are you an experienced HR leader who thrives in fast-paced, operationally demanding environments? Do you enjoy being a visible, hands-on partner to senior stakeholders while shaping culture, driving performance, and enabling change?
This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious food manufacturer and play a pivotal role in leading the people strategy.
THE ROLE;
As HR Manager, you will be a key member of the site leadership team, partnering with the General Manager and wider team to deliver a full HR remit. You’ll provide operational and strategic HR leadership across:
* Employee relations and trade union engagement
* Culture, engagement, and change initiatives
* Workforce planning, recruitment, and retention
* Training, development, and organisational capability
* HR governance, compliance, and audit requirements
* Site leadership influence and contribution to P&L discussions
You will lead and develop an on-site HR team, modernising HR practices, strengthening team capability, and driving cultural transformation.
Site based.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR;
Essential experience:
* Proven HR leadership within food manufacturing or similar high‑volume, fast‑paced sectors (e.g., logistics, retail, FMCG)
* Strong background in employee relations and trade union negotiation
* Experience working within audit-heavy, compliance-driven environments
* Ability to influence senior leaders and operate confidently as part of a site leadership team
* Experience managing diverse workforces
* Comfortable delivering both strategic and hands-on HR in an operational setting
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
* Resilient, pragmatic, and solutions-focused
* Confident, collaborative, and not afraid to challenge or shape direction
* Able to navigate complexity and maintain momentum in demanding environments
NIGEL WRIGHT HR;
If you're an HR leader who enjoys pace, challenge, and the ability to make a genuine difference within UK food manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Sue O’Donovan for more information.