HR Business Partner
14 hours ago
Coleraine
HR Business Partner | Maternity Cover until Feb/March 2028 Coleraine | Fixed-term contract | Salary negotiable Knowing employment law is one thing. Knowing what to do when a manager phones you with a problem is another. Most experienced HR professionals know their way around a disciplinary procedure, a grievance or an employment contract. But there's a difference between knowing the legislation and being able to advise a manager when the situation isn't straightforward, the stakes are high and a decision needs to be made. That's the sort of experience we're looking for. We're recruiting an HR Business Partner for Lynas Foodservice, initially on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. And while the contract is temporary, the responsibility certainly isn't. The business Lynas Foodservice employs over 700 people across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. It's a busy, multi-site operation covering foodservice distribution, retail outlets and butchery. With that comes the sort of HR challenges you'd expect from a business employing hundreds of people across different locations, working patterns and three different employment law jurisdictions. The role You'll report to the HR&D Director, lead a small HR team and work directly with operational managers and senior leaders. This isn't a role where you'll spend your days referring every difficult question to an external employment lawyer. You'll be expected to understand the issues, assess the risks and provide clear, practical advice. That might mean helping a manager deal with a complicated absence case, managing a grievance or disciplinary process, reviewing contractual arrangements or advising on a proposed organisational change. You'll also be involved in TUPE, restructures, collective consultation and other matters where getting the process right is particularly important. And because the business operates across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, you'll need a strong understanding of Northern Ireland employment law, alongside working knowledge of the other jurisdictions or the ability to get up to speed quickly. What we're looking for You'll probably already be working as an HR Business Partner, HR Manager or experienced Senior HR Advisor. More importantly, you'll have dealt with difficult employee relations matters yourself. Not just attended meetings or taken notes. Actually advised managers, managed processes and seen cases through to their conclusion. You'll understand the importance of getting the legal detail right without losing sight of the commercial realities of running a business. You'll also need to be comfortable challenging managers when necessary, even when that isn't what they want to hear. A CIPD Level 5 qualification would be useful, although equivalent professional experience is equally acceptable. Experience in manufacturing, logistics, distribution or another operational, multi-site environment would be an advantage. You'll need to be able to travel occasionally between company sites. You'll need to already have the legal right to work in the UK & Ireland Why consider it? Fixed-term contracts aren't for everyone. But they can offer the chance to take on broader responsibilities, gain experience in a different business and make a meaningful contribution without committing to a permanent move. Here, you'll have direct access to the HR&D Director, responsibility for a small team and exposure to senior leaders across a business operating in three jurisdictions. You'll be trusted to use your judgement rather than simply administer HR policies. The salary is negotiable depending on experience, with flexibility to recognise the fixed-term nature of the appointment. The business also offers enhanced annual leave, a health cash plan following qualifying service, enhanced sick pay, employee discounts and other benefits. Interested? If you have strong employment law and employee relations experience and would like to hear more, get in touch for a confidential conversation. You don't need to be actively looking. Sometimes an opportunity is worth exploring, even if you hadn't planned on making a move. Lynas Foodservice is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Skills: Employment Law, Employee Relations HR business partnering Change Management & TUPE Team Leadership TPBN1_NI
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