HR MANAGER – FOOD MANUFACTURING, EXETER;

Are you an experienced HR leader who thrives in fast-paced, operational environments? Do you enjoy being a visible, hands-on partner to senior stakeholders while shaping culture, driving performance, and enabling change?

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious manufacturer and play a pivotal role in leading the people strategy.



THE ROLE;

As HR Manager, you will be a key member of the site leadership team, partnering with the General Manager and wider team to deliver a full HR remit. You’ll provide operational and strategic HR leadership across:
*Employee relations and trade union engagement
*Culture, engagement, and change initiatives
*Workforce planning, recruitment, and retention
*Training, development, and organisational capability
*HR governance, compliance, and audit requirements
*Site leadership influence and contribution to P&L discussions

You will lead and develop an on-site HR team, modernising HR practices, strengthening team capability, and driving cultural transformation.

Site based.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR;

Essential experience:*Proven HR leadership within manufacturing or similar high-volume, fast-paced sectors (e.g., logistics, retail, FMCG)
*Strong background in employee relations and trade union negotiation
*Experience working within audit-heavy, compliance-driven environments
*Ability to influence senior leaders and operate confidently as part of a site leadership team
*Experience managing diverse workforces
*Comfortable delivering both strategic and hands-on HR in an operational setting

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:*Resilient, pragmatic, and solutions-focused
*Confident, collaborative, and not afraid to challenge or shape direction
*Able to navigate complexity and maintain momentum in demanding environments

NIGEL WRIGHT HR;

If you’re an HR leader who enjoys pace, challenge, and the ability to make a genuine difference within UK manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Sue O’Donovan for more information.