Overview
At Stephens, everything we do is guided by 3 simple values:
Customer First – every customer, every time
Can Do Attitude – positive, proactive, and solution focused
Stronger Together – we support each other to succeed
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced People & Development Manager to join our family-run bakery.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Across our bakery, retail shops and support functions, around 270 staff work together to deliver moments of joy for our customers every day.
This role plays a crucial part in ensuring we continue to build a positive, high-performing workplace where our teams feel supported and empowered to succeed.
About the Role
As People & Development Manager, you will lead and shape our people strategy, ensuring our HR practices align with our business objectives and reflect our values in action - not just words.
You’ll work closely with leaders across the business, providing practical, solution-focused support while championing a culture of gold standards, accountability and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do
You’ll play a hands-on role across all areas of the business in a generalist HR capacity, including:
* Developing and implementing HR policies and procedures that support business goals and ensure full compliance with employment law
* Embedding our Customer First, Can Do Attitude and Stronger Together values into recruitment, onboarding and development practices
* Overseeing recruitment and selection, including drafting job descriptions and adverts, sourcing candidates, interviewing and managing onboarding
* Line managing our Recruitment and HR Assistant
* Coordinating performance management processes including goal setting, reviews and development planning
* Providing clear, practical guidance and advice to managers on employee relations matters such as conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, grievance handling and absence management
* Monitoring and analysing HR metrics to identify trends and drive improvements in engagement and productivity
* Developing and delivering training initiatives to enhance skills and help us achieve gold standard performance across the business, including management of our Stephens Hub software which houses our onboarding and training software
* Ensuring accurate, secure HR record-keeping in line with data protection regulations, while facilitating timely and meaningful reporting
* Keeping up to date with HR best practice and legal requirements, proactively recommending improvements
What You’ll Need
* Degree preferred but not essential
* Proven experience in an HR Manager or similar role
* In-depth knowledge of HR best practice, employment law and regulations
* Strong experience in performance management, absence management and employee relations
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels
* A positive, proactive and solution-focused mindset
* Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver HR initiatives
* Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
* Excellent IT skills including MS Office and HR/training systems
* Most importantly, you’ll be someone who champions our values daily - putting people first so our teams can put customers first
About Us
Stephens Bakery is a 4th generation family business with over 153 years of baking heritage - but we’ve never stood still. We were the first bakery to partner with convenience stores, the first to mobilise a bakery Jiffy Van and the first to open a stand-alone bakery drive-thru in the UK. Today, we operate 16 retail shops alongside strong partnerships with Co-op, Scotmid, Morrisons and independent retailers.
While we continue to innovate, we remain committed to traditional baking methods and sourcing the finest local ingredients. That’s why we’ve been recognised as Scottish Craft Bakery of the Year and UK Craft Bakery Business of the Year - and why we’re home to Scotland’s favourite Morning Roll, Steak Bridie and Double Biscuit.
If you’re ready to shape the future of our people while staying true to the values that define us, we’d love to hear from you. Grow your career with Stephens.
Package
* Free products on shift
* Milestone gifts and referral bonuses up to £150
* Free counselling and wellbeing support
* Discounts at 1,000+ major retailers
* Life assurance at 2x salary
* Unlimited remote GP access plus physio, lifestyle coaching, PT and nutrition sessions
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