Head of People

Location

Trafford Park

Job type:

Permanent

Job ref:

007842

Published:

about 5 hours ago

Role: HEAD OF PEOPLE.

Location: Trafford Park, Manchester.

Reports to: Chief Strategy & Growth Officer (CSGO) + transactional alignment to CFO.

Direct Reports: 3 (including HR Administrator, Recruitment Coordinator, HR Advisor)

Department: People.

Type: Full-time, Permanent.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Head of People is responsible for leading the delivery of core HR operations and people processes across The Fragrance Shop and Per-Scent. This is a primarily operational and coordination-focused role, ensuring consistent HR service delivery, policy adherence, efficient people administration, and effective recruitment coordination across retail, warehouse, and head office teams.

Strategic HR planning, organisation design, complex ER case management, and employment law advice will be supported and led by the Company's external HR consultancy partner, with this role acting as the key internal liaison. The role is a stakeholder for setting the group people strategy and cultural transformation programmes. Senior leadership capability development, sits at Board Level.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. HR Service Delivery & Operations

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations including onboarding, offboarding, HR documentation, right-to-work, absence, and personnel file management.
• Ensure consistent service delivery to 1,300+ colleagues across all locations.
• Maintain the employee lifecycle processes with a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Coordinate payroll data preparation and ensure smooth interfaces between HR and payroll.

2. Team Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and support the internal People Team (x3) with direction, coaching, workload planning, and performance management.
• Ensure the team delivers efficient HR administration and recruitment coordination.
• Act as first escalation point for internal HR operational issues.
• Work closely with the Group Payroll Manager and ensure HR and Payroll process aligns

3. Policy, Compliance & HR Governance

• Maintain up-to-date policies, procedures, and employee handbooks, working directly with the external HR consultancy (Wurkplace).
• Ensure employment practices remain compliant with UK legislation by applying guidance provided by the external experts.
• Oversee GDPR compliance relating to employee data and HR system use.

4. Employee Relations Coordination

• Coordinate and support ER processes for head office and escalated retail/warehouse cases.
• Draft documentation, prepare case packs, schedule meetings, and support investigations.
• Escalate all complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters to the external HR consultancy for formal direction.
• Ensure consistent application of company policy across all cases.

5. Recruitment, Resourcing & Workforce Support

• Manage recruitment coordination including job adverts, screening support, scheduling, and reference checks.
• Support hiring managers with operational recruitment queries.
• Coordinate seasonal hiring and volume recruitment cycles, supported by external partners where needed.
• Contribute to workforce planning activities delivered by the external HR consultancy.

6. HR Systems, Reporting & Administration

• Maintain PeopleXD (or equivalent) ensuring accurate employee records and data quality.
• Provide regular operational HR reports including turnover, absence, and compliance metrics.
• Produce routine dashboards for the CSGO & CFO to support operational decision-making.
• Lead the discovery, procurement and implementation of HR systems and software (in conjunction with group Payroll manager)

7. Learning, Engagement & Wellbeing Support

• Coordinate training programmes delivered internally or via external providers.
• Manage the use of the Apprenticeship Levy in collaboration with L&D partners.
• Support implementation of wellbeing and engagement initiatives (stakeholder in strategy creation).
• Ensure consistent communication of people policies and updates across the business.

8. External HR Consultancy Relationship Management

• Act as the primary internal liaison for outsourced HR advisory services (Wurkplace).
• Coordinate the flow of information, documentation, and case details between managers and the consultancy.
• Ensure timely escalation of ER matters and governance issues.
• Monitor service levels and identify any process improvements.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential

• Proven experience in HR operations or HR management within retail, logistics, or multi-site environments.
• Strong practical understanding of UK HR processes and employment law fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a small team.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with high attention to detail.
• Experience working with external HR service providers or outsourced advisory models.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site business.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 (or working towards).
• Experience with HR systems such as Access PeopleXD.
• Comfortable coordinating activities involving external partners and advisors.