Vacancy Introduction

We’re looking for a HR Business Partner to join our team on an interim basis, supporting our Norfolk Food stores. Operating at the heart of the wider HR team, our HR Business Partners play a pivotal role in supporting our operational colleagues and driving forward the implementation of our people strategies, policies and procedures as we strive to improve the daily lives of our colleagues.

Providing practical support and expertise on key business projects through to supporting on complex employee relations cases, you can be sure that no two days will be the same! Building trusted and respected relationships with multiple stakeholders is key to this role as you will be seeking to influence how we best support and develop our colleagues as we grow and evolve our business.

As HR Business Partner you’ll be operating in a busy, fast paced environment where the ability to “think on your feet” is essential. However, we think you’ll find it rewarding too, particularly as you’ll meet and support our amazing keyworker colleagues who have provided vital services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surrounded and supported by a great team, we are looking for a positive, forward thinking individual with a “can do” attitude to join us. This is a fixed-term role, initially anticipated to last nine months, so we are seeking someone with the relevant experience to work autonomously and to make an immediate impact in the role.

Role Responsibility

• To inform and engage with key changes to HR policies, procedures, and initiatives to drive them forward and help shape our people culture.
• Lead and where required, project manage change programmes including TUPE, restructures and redundancy ensuring projects meet their deadlines and our Co-op remains compliant. Support project roll-outs at multiple site locations at any given time tracking progress where required.
• To impart knowledge and provide direction on key people areas such as workforce planning, performance, employee engagement and talent pipelines.
• Building well-respected relationships with senior stakeholders within our Co-op to help inform and support the effective implementation of HR strategies, policies, and procedures.
• To coach, advise and support line managers on key people issues (e.g. disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, conflict resolution and handling difficult conversations) with the aim of increasing their confidence and capability and encouraging line-management ‘ownership’.
• Provide advice and support on complex employee relations cases calling upon knowledge of employment law legislation.
• Manage relationships integral to the wider HR team including (but not limited to) trade unions and ACAS.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous experience working within a HR environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to relate to, influence and coach colleagues at all levels, and effectively manage stakeholder expectations.
• A positive “can do” and solutions-focused approach, particularly when adapting to, and delivering, change.
• Knowledge of current HR practices, employment legislation and its implications, with an ongoing commitment to CPD.
• Experience of managing people related projects (including acquisitions and disposals) and advising on related employment / people considerations.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage a multi-priority workload in a fast-paced environment.

Whilst not essential, experience in working for a multi-site retail business and leading the people aspects of medium to large-scale projects would be advantageous, as would being CIPD qualified. Knowledge of HR systems and databases would also prove beneficial.

In line with Government advice, our HR Services team are working from home, where possible. However, where required, the role will require physical attendance at our sites across the East of England. Therefore, the successful candidate will also require a full UK driving licence and access to their own fully-insured vehicle (a company car cash allowance will be provided)

Package Description

Alongside a competitive salary, we also offer enhanced employer pension contribution and holiday entitlement, as well as our colleague discount scheme (including 10% off in our Foodstores) – these are just a few benefits of working for us! Full details can be viewed on the ‘Colleague benefits’ section of our website.

About the Company

As a co-op we’re a different type of business. We’re owned by our members and we work for the benefit of people and our communities, not just for profit.  We’re driven by our democratic values which are based around being fair, doing the right thing and caring for all those we deal with.  This includes our customers, our suppliers, our environment and each other.  We expect colleagues who work with us to share these values. We’re still a business and we work in a very competitive area so it’s still important that we’re efficient and work to the highest professional standards.

Click here to find out more https://www.eastofengland.coop/.

COVID-19 Recruitment Statement

Our colleague’s health and wellbeing is our priority and we have taken all reasonable steps to protect our teams in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst we have a number of measures in place to make our workplaces COVID-secure, applicants should be aware that the vast majority of our vacancies are for customer-facing roles. Whilst you are not obliged to share the details of any health conditions as part of your application, we would encourage you to consider any Government guidance which might apply to you. The latest advice for clinically vulnerable and clinically extremely vulnerable people can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus).

If you would like to discuss a vacancy prior to making an application, please contact hrservices@eastofengland.coop.

East of England Co-op