HR Business Partner

Whitworth Bros. Ltd.; Wellingborough; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Wellingborough is looking for an HR Business Partner for an 18-month fixed-term contract. The role requires collaboration with operational leaders to enhance HR strategies and support employee relations. Essential skills include a background in operational environments, experience in managing complex employee relations cases, and CIPD qualifications. Benefits include competitive salary, enhanced holiday entitlement, and various health benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Enhanced holiday entitlement

Company sick pay

Life insurance

Health cash plans

Family-friendly policies

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven background in operational, manufacturing or distribution environments.
• Experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• CIPD qualified or equivalent; educational background preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with operational leaders to align people strategy with business goals.
• Guide organizational design and workforce planning initiatives.
• Manage employee relations and support industrial relations matters.

Skills

Operational environments background

Union and non-union experience

Complex ER case management

Collective consultation skills

Support for operational leaders

Audit support experience

Willingness to travel

Analytical skills

CIPD qualified or equivalent

Education

HR, Business or related degree

Job description

HR Business Partner - 18month FTC - Wellingborough

As an HR Business Partner, you’ll work hand‑in‑hand with our operational leaders, bringing a people‑focused perspective to strategic decisions. You’ll offer thoughtful, practical guidance across all areas of HR; from organisational development and workforce planning to talent, performance, and employee relations, supporting our colleagues and leaders to be their very best.

• Primary Location: Wellingborough, with additional support required across our Holbeach, Peterborough, and Malton sites.
• This is a full time, 18month fixed term contract – maternity cover, working 40hours per week
• Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced holiday entitlement, company sick pay, life insurance, health cash plans, family‑friendly policies and cycle‑to‑work scheme

What we’re looking for

Build close, trusted partnerships with the Operations Leadership Team to ensure our people strategy truly supports the needs of the business. You’ll help create a culture where colleagues feel valued and able to thrive, role‑modelling safe working and offering thoughtful, supportive coaching to managers so they can lead with confidence and care. You’ll also guide organisational design, workforce planning and change activity, while leading key talent processes such as succession planning, capability development and collaboration with Learning & Development to shape meaningful, relevant training.

You’ll nurture a positive, inclusive employee experience grounded in engagement, wellbeing and continuous improvement. With a calm, professional approach, you’ll manage complex ER matters up to ET level, support industrial relations, and contribute to fair performance, pay and recognition practices. Using insight‑led data, you’ll strengthen decision‑making and productivity, while working closely with the wider HR team to ensure our policies are applied consistently, compliantly and with integrity. Above all, you’ll play an important part in a supportive, connected UK‑wide HR community, helping our operational sites and colleagues flourish.

Essential skills

• Background in operational, manufacturing or distribution environments
• Confident working with unions and non‑unionised teams, including navigating legacy agreements
• Experienced in leading complex ER cases up to ET
• Skilled in collective consultation and negotiations around working practices
• Broad experience supporting operational leaders across talent, inclusion, engagement, wellbeing and communication
• Experience supporting customer and 3rd‑party audits
• Comfortable travelling across your region and wider UK sites
• Analytical, numerate and capable of interpreting complex data
• CIPD qualified (or equivalent); HR, Business or related degree preferred

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

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.

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