Vacancy Introduction

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a HR Administrator to join our wonderful People Team on apprenticeship programme. We have recently introduced a brand-new benefits programme and we are now looking at introducing a new look to our business; Our people road map offers our team the chance to develop and get involved with our new projects.

Our HR Administrators provide a vital service to our business and every colleague working within it. It is an exciting time to become part of the East of England Co-op and you could be part of our journey in developing and supporting our business.

If you wish to read more about the role and tasks within it, please download our job description at the bottom of this page.

This is a hybrid-working position which will require you to balance time in our office and working from home (for which you will need a suitable workspace and broadband facilities) or sometimes from other sites.

Role Responsibility

What is the role?

Our People Team provides our different businesses with a wide range of support including resourcing, employee relations, HR administration & payroll services amongst others. This Apprenticeship will primarily focus on our HR and payroll administration activities. We will provide the support and development so that over time you will be multi-skilled to undertake a wide range of HR and payroll administration activities. This will include the recruitment and on-boarding of new starters; administering contract changes, family leave arrangements and leavers; as well supporting line managers and colleagues with a wide range of HR, payroll and benefits queries.

What can I get out of an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to build confidence, learn new skills and obtain qualifications, whilst earning. They combine practical training with study, both on and off the job. This Apprenticeship is open to current colleagues or external applicants aged 16 or over who are not already in education or doing another qualification and who do not already possess the skills and knowledge the apprenticeship programme will deliver.

The successful candidate will undertake a Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship. This Apprenticeship will provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in:

• HR systems and processes

• The role and focus of an HR function

• HR legislation and policies

• Providing HR advice in a range of areas, from recruitment to retirement

• Recruitment activity, including the use of internal and external platforms and developing job adverts

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to develop the above skills and the motivation and criteria to achieve the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship standard. Applicants will need to already be proficient in basic IT applications such as Word and Email, with good numeracy and literacy skills, ideally achieving GCSE level 9-4 or A-C or equivalent in both subjects. They must also work with high standards of accuracy and attention to detail. The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the People Team working in some very different ways so the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing circumstances is also key.

Apprentice Rate of Pay; £9.55/ hour – to be reviewed in line with progression

Hours: 37.5/Week

Package Description

What’s in it for you

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?  

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 22 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Access to our colleague communications app, The Loop
• Enhanced* family leave and pay arrangements
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great deals and discounts across 100’s of high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®

Check out the detail of all our colleague benefits here.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace -  perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

About the Company

The East of England Co-op is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia, with over 230 stores and branches across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex.

Owned by over 260,000 members – including our colleagues – our vision is to be the most valued organisation in our region, by being a better kind of business and using our profit to make a positive impact on our communities.

Our Community Cares Fund provides hundreds of thousands of pounds to support groups and good causes, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing, food justice for all and creating community spaces. 

With a focus on environmental sustainability, we’re proud to have led the way on reducing food waste, being the first major retailer to sell food past its Best Before date for just 10p. 

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential, whether in food retail, funeral services, property investment, travel, security, stonemasonry, events, or our support functions. 

Find out more at www.eastofengland.coop

Our Recruitment Process

If this is the job for you, simply click ‘apply’. You will be required to register a profile on our careers page. To do this simply click apply. The good news is you’ll only have to register once – after this, it’ll be easier and quicker to apply for any roles in the future too.

Please note that our working patterns are non-contractual. The advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and is subject to change.

East of England Co-op