HRBP

The Compleat Food Group Limited; Poole; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food manufacturer seeks an HR Business Partner for a 15-month FTC to cover maternity leave. This operational role requires strong experience in managing HR functions in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include developing people strategies, leading HR initiatives, and ensuring compliance. Candidates should have a CIPD Level 7 qualification and at least 2 years in HR leadership, ideally in manufacturing or FMCG settings. Competitive salary of £55k-65k DOE, onsite role in Poole, with some flexibility.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience in a fast-paced manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Experience in leading HR functions and site HR teams.
• Comfortable in highly visible roles within factory settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a robust site people plan aligned with HR strategies.
• Partner with senior leadership to diagnose and develop people solutions.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and strategies for retention.

Skills

UK employment law

Employee relations management

Communication

Change management

HR transformation

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification

Job description

HR Business Partner – Manufacturing (15-Month FTC, Maternity Cover)
Location: Poole (site-based, some flexibility depending on site needs)
Salary: £55k–65k DOE
Responsible for: Site HR Team
Contract: 15-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave
Start Date: Late March / April 2026

The Role

We are looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our Manufacturing HR team and act as a trusted advisor to site senior leadership teams.

This is a highly visible, operational HR role where you will shape and deliver a robust site people plan that balances performance, engagement, compliance, and culture. You will lead a site-based HR team while partnering closely with Operations, Technical, and Supply Chain leaders to drive sustainable people outcomes in a fast-paced FMCG environment.

You will also play an active role in supporting the delivery of the wider HR Transformation agenda, helping to modernise HR ways of working across Manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Partner with site senior leadership teams to understand business challenges and diagnose people issues, developing practical and effective solutions.

Develop and deliver a robust site people plan aligned to the wider HR and Manufacturing strategies.

Support the deployment of group HR initiatives, ensuring local alignment and engagement.

Enable modern, efficient HR ways of working in line with the HR Transformation plan.

Employee Engagement & Industrial Relations

Establish and maintain effective employee forums and trade union relationships where applicable.

Lead employee engagement initiatives, including annual engagement surveys and site improvement plans.

Drive visible HR presence through factory walkarounds, welfare interviews, and engagement across shifts.

Ensure effective communication channels are in place for all colleagues, including those without email access.

Lead senior-level employee relations cases and ensure effective use of Speak Up and grievance processes.

Own site community, charity, and volunteering initiatives.

Talent Attraction, Retention & Development

Oversee site recruitment activity, ensuring a positive candidate experience and strong employer brand.

Develop and deliver site retention strategies using data and insight.

Lead succession planning and 9-box talent management for WL2 and above.

Develop site pay strategies aligned to group frameworks and market data.

Partner effectively with agency and flexible labour providers to meet demand while controlling costs.

Performance & Capability

Ensure effective deployment of the PDR process aligned to site goals and the Compleat Behavioural Framework.

Support the implementation of Performance Improvement Plans where required.

Build management capability across the employee lifecycle, coaching leaders rather than taking ownership away from them.

Lead the delivery of group leadership programmes and HR modules at site level.

HR Compliance & Governance

Oversee complex ER matters, including ACAS claims and tribunal cases (with central support as required).

Own site SEDEX / SMETA compliance and bi-annual SAQ completion.

Ensure robust right-to-work and modern slavery due diligence is in place.

Maintain HR standards aligned to BRC, customer, and TCFG Manufacturing standards.

Manage site HR budgets and reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Health, Safety, Food Safety & Quality

Ensure all new starters and agency workers receive appropriate SHE and food safety inductions.

Support working time directive compliance.

Partner with the Head of Technical to develop and embed a strong food safety, quality, and integrity culture.

About You

CIPD Level 7 qualified (or equivalent experience as a Site HR Manager / HR Business Partner).

Minimum 2 years’ experience leading an HR function within a fast-paced manufacturing or FMCG environment.

Strong knowledge of UK employment law and complex employee relations case management.

Experience supporting audits and ideally leading site SEDEX / SMETA compliance.

Confident, credible communicator able to influence senior stakeholders.

Comfortable being highly visible and hands‑on in a factory environment.

Experience working in unionised environments.

Exposure to HR transformation or change programmes.

Experience supporting multi‑shift manufacturing operations.