HR Manager - Manufacturing

Kepak is a leading food company with 16 manufacturing sites and over 4,500 employees across Ireland and the UK, with a turnover of €2 billion.

Kepak Foods Division have developed a portfolio of brands that are successful in the chilled convenience, ambient and frozen meat categories in the UK, Ireland and chosen European markets for both Retail and Foodservice Customers.  We have 5 Manufacturing Sites supported by shared services, with 1000 people supporting our vision to become a transformed, future proofed, profitable €0.5bn Food Business by 2030.

As HR Manager for our largest site at Kirkham, with approximately 400 employees, this is an ideal opportunity for an experience HR Manager to join an established site, where there is opportunity to further elevate the role of HR whilst leading a small and dedicated team.

If you're looking for a the next move in your HR career and want to be part of a successful, growing and highly ambitious organisation, this is the perfect next step in you.

In this role, you’ll report directly to the HR Director and take the lead on the people agenda across our Kirkham site

You’ll shape and deliver our HR strategy, spearhead key initiatives and projects, and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to drive real impact across out Operations, Commercial and Support Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead change management initiatives that support growth, efficiency, and cultural improvement.
• Partner with the Site Director and leadership team to shape workforce planning, organisational design, and talent development.
• Oversee ER cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Oversee recruitment for all site roles, leveraging Group Recruitment resource & ensuring robust processes and strong candidate experience.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with UK employment law, Kepak Group policies and food industry standards (e.g., BRCGS, retailer audits).
• Support site audits by providing HR documentation and evidence.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and safety‑focused culture across all site teams.
• Lead engagement initiatives, including surveys, action planning, and communication programmes.

Requirements

• Must have proven experience as an HR Manager or Senior HR Advisor within a manufacturing, FMCG, or a similar fast‑paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing ER cases and supporting organisational change.
• Confident working with senior leaders and influencing decision‑making.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using HR systems and data.
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 preferred.

Benefits

What can we offer you?

• Company Pension
• Further Education support
• Bike to Work Scheme - You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
• GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program - help with a wide range of topics including mental health and wellbeing support, family and relationship advice, debt management, back to work support, and counselling for all Kepak colleagues and their families.
• Corporate gym membership at Ribby Hall Village
• BUPA Cash plan free of charge