HR Business Partner
Location: Dronfield, Derbyshire – Onsite
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
About Us
Join 2 Sisters Food Group, one of the UK's largest food manufacturers, with an annual turnover exceeding 3 billion and approximately 13,000 employees across 16 sites. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual that's eager to join a prestigious employer within the FMCG sector. Gunstones produces some of the finest hot cross buns, bread rolls, brioche buns and iced buns for some of the nation's favourite high street retailers including Marks and Spencer, Co–Op, Tesco and Aldi. We have around 700 colleagues. The Gunstones family started this business in 1862 and went on to open their first bakery in Sheffield in 1925. In 1952, they built the factory which is our current site in Dronfield.
About the Role
This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of Gunstones, where you will be instrumental in shaping the future of our HR function and ensuring its alignment with the company's long–term strategic objectives. We are seeking a true HR Generalist, with a proven track record of modernising HR processes, building a robust HR framework, and effectively partnering with Senior Leadership Teams.
As the HR Business Partner, you'll work closely with our Managing Director and SLT, establishing HR practices that ensure our people, processes, and policies are in perfect alignment with the business's goals. The role is key to building trust in HR across the site, improving employee engagement, and ensuring operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Business Partnering: Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team, helping drive business success through strategic HR initiatives.
* HR Process Modernisation: Overhaul and improve HR processes, creating a clear framework that will be followed across the site. Key focus on areas like Right to Work checks and compliance.
* Team Restructuring: Lead the transformation of the current HR team, aligning them with the new HR framework to maximise effectiveness and capability.
* HR Operations: Oversee essential HR functions including benefits management, employee leave, policy enforcement, and disciplinaries.
* Legacy Projects: Manage and address outstanding HR issues, particularly in areas like Compensation & Benefits, while also supporting large–scale changes driven by acquisitions.
* Engagement with Employees: Lead with a "hands–on" approach, engaging with the workforce at all levels–whether it's collaborating with the SLT or rolling up your sleeves on the shop floor
About You
* Experience: Significant experience as an HR Generalist, with a deep understanding of modern HR practices, particularly in business partnering and HR process improvement.
* Leadership: The ability to influence and partner effectively with the SLT, managing change and driving forward strategic HR initiatives.
* Operational Expertise: Comfort with getting involved in day–to–day HR operations, and managing complex HR activities such as disciplinary actions, policy enforcement, and benefits administration.
* Adaptability & Engagement: A natural communicator who thrives in a dynamic, diverse environment. You'll be equally comfortable engaging with senior leaders and front–line workers in a largely blue–collar workforce.
* Hands–On Approach: This is not a theoretical role–you will be expected to "do the do!" A proactive and practical HR leader who rolls up their sleeves to get the job done.
Qualifications
* CIPD Level 5 minimum (or equivalent) is required. (CIPD Level 7 preferred)
* Master's Degree educated (preferred).
Key Skills
* HR Generalist Experience: We're open to individuals with varying levels of experience. You should have strong, well–rounded knowledge across all areas of HR, including but not limited to: Benefits, Leave, Enforcing Policies, and Disciplinaries.
* Exceptional Business Partnering: Proven experience in business partnering at all levels of the organisation.
* Team Restructuring Expertise: Innovative in restructuring teams with a focus on business optimisation and building trust across the workforce.
* Industry Knowledge: Experience within the food industry is ideal, with experience in FMCG (Fast–Moving Consumer Goods) being advantageous.
This is a permanent position based in Dronfield, Derbyshire – Onsite. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
Benefits
* 33 days annual leave
* Company pension scheme with Legal & General or NEST pension
* Death in service benefit, optional – linked to membership of L&G pension
* Company sick pay – after qualifying period
* Free onsite parking
* Exclusive 2 Sisters employee discount platform available via an app offering savings of up to 60% with brands including Asda, Morrisons, Marks and Spencer and Tesco.
* Employee assistance programme.
* Wisdom wellbeing app
* Grocery Aid – employees access to counselling
Why Join Us?
As one of the UK's largest food manufacturers, we provide ample opportunities for career growth and skill development. We emphasise promoting from within, ensuring you can build a rewarding career with us.