HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Seeking an operational H of HR / outstandng Senior HR Manager ready to step up to H of HR.
Ideal candidate will have food service/fmcg/ wholesale distribution in food industry
salary: competitive & benefits
reporting to: Director
Woods Foodservice
Here at Woods Foodservice, we are known as market leaders in the quality sector of the catering industry. We are at an exciting point of progression in the company, making it a great time for new recruits to join our journey. We provide high quality ambient, chilled, fresh, and frozen produce from around the world and supply some of the most prestigious chefs in the country. At present, most of our customer are London-based, but we have already begun the expansion process into other major UK cities such as Manchester, Brighton and Bristol. The future is very promising! A critical part of our renowned success is our exceptional level of customer service. This is a department that we are constantly looking to improve and modernise to make our customers’ experience with us as comfortable as possible.
Main Purpose:
This role holds accountability of all aspects of the HR Department. The candidate will provide effective support and advice to a young and ambitious management team, colleagues, and key stakeholders to help drive the business forward. They will actively look for improvements to shape and implement an effective people strategy within the organisation, whilst holding commercial and operational understanding of the company.
Key Responsibilities:
Performance Management
* Be a strong company ambassador internally within the business, and externally when representing it – ensuring high performance standards of HR
* Lead on HR and be a senior HR business partner working closely with stakeholders
* Actively engage in effective communication across the business to inform and engage employees
* Build and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders, including line managers, directors and more junior employees, with participation in Leadership and Management meetings
* Drive all Personal Development Programmes for the team, as well as Capability Procedures where necessary
* Manage the annual Performance Management review process and one – to – ones for the company, ensuring managers are keeping to required levels of feedback being given to their staff on their recent performance
* Attend and support employees and managers through difficult conversation meetings and ensure compliance with and follow up actions from these
* Manage and motivate an HR Departmental staff (currently an HR Administrator)
Strategy
* Understand the commercial and people challenges across the company and assist in implementing solutions to drive performance, profitability, and employee engagement
* Actively look for improvements and effectiveness within the HR domain including training, HR policies, processes, budgeting, planning, systems, effective and efficient administration
* Assist line managers with resource planning, role profiles, job description maintenance, and Handbooks for all roles. (Manage Handbooks in the software ‘Air Mason’)
* Create and implement a robust cost-effective recruitment program to obtain a high calibre of candidates for future posts to be filled
* Train and support line managers in “best practice” recruitment and interviewing practices.
* Use the Job Evaluation framework for benchmarking new roles and providing benchmark salary bands
* Conduct annual reviews of workplace Benefits and Pension, as well as annual Salary review and propose cost-effective value add solutions to attract, retain and motivate employees
* Assist with succession planning and development of successors as the company grows and internal promotions provide new role opportunities to be filled
* Create and drive improvements to ensure employee engagement and securing retention
* Propose and actively implement company people strategies and workforce planning to support company growth
Legality & HR Systems
* Ensure the company’s policies, procedures, processes are legally compliant and fit for purpose for the company. Conduct an annual review of them and update them as needed.
* Handling highly confidential information in an honest and trustworthy way and in lines with Data Protection regulations
* Ensure employee contracts/statement of main terms/amendements are legally compliant and fit for purpose
* Ensure employee files are maintained in accordance with employment legislation and company guidelines
* Oversee effective pre-employment checking, onboarding and offboarding processes
* Collaborate with finance department to ensure payroll is correct monthly
* Ensure appropriate and accurate benefits and pension administration
* Support line managers with employee relations including absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes and other practices/procedures that are impacted by employment law
* Ensure adherence across the company to people policies, employee T&Cs and HR processes
* Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures and standards including food safety, health & safety, environment.
* Maintain a high level of employment law knowledge, being up to date with legislation changes and ensure that the company remains legally compliant
* Liaise with external employment law advice line where necessary
* Support and facilitate the salary review programme ensuring all updates are accurate
* Work alongside the Finance Director for ensuring correct monthly payroll is processed including benefit and bonus additions
* Annual review of the HRIS to ensure the current system remains fit for purpose and /or seek an alternative cost-effective HRIS for future use
Key Requirements and Skills
* Minimum of 10 years of generalist HR experience including HR operational experience
* Relevant University degree or CIPD qualification
* Strong technical HR and employment law knowledge and experience, including strong employee relations experience
* Experience working in FMCG/ wholesale distribution (with a preference for food industry experience), including in a high paced operational environment
* Experience working in a family run business, SME – including as an HR Manager or higher
* People management experience and able to direct, coach, motivate, engage, develop
* Full understanding of the way an organization operates to meet its objectives
* A business acumen partnered with attention to the human element
* Can think and act both strategically and operationally – and problem solve.
* Knowledge of HR data analysis and reporting to inform decision making
* Excellent organizational and leadership skills
* Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
* Diligent and firm with high ethical standards
* Excellent judgement and discreet
* Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
* Analytical and excellent attention to detail
* Positive and proactive attitude with a desire to make a difference in a dynamic, fast- paced, business
* Ability to adapt to change, manage change and influence change
* Proficient in the utilisation of an HRIS and other systems
* Excellent time management; the business runs 24/7 and the candidate will be required to be flexible in their working hours
* Solid negotiation and persuasion skills with the ability to influence at senior level
* Experience of dealing with multi-site management an advantage
* Willingness to train as a Mental Health First Aider
* Right to Work in the UK
* Holds a valid UK Driver License
Due to the large number of applicants expected, we are only able to contact those applicants who most closely meet our role requirements. We would like to thank you all for your interest in our role at Woods Foodservice Ltd.