Regional Head of HR

**Welcome to Hovis.**

Our brand is iconic and loved by many. We're all about baking, with over 130 years of experience under our belts. Every day, we're churning out around 1.3 million delicious loaves of bread and bakery products throughout the UK and Ireland.

We've got an amazing team of 2,800 people working in 8 bakeries, 1 flour mill, and 2 distribution centres all across the UK. And let us tell you, their hard work is what makes us successful. Whether they're experts in baking, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, or any of the departments in our head office, without them, we’d be toast

Read on, find out more, and hopefully experience the goodness of Hovis for yourself.

**What’s the opportunity?**

We’re on the search for an exceptional Regional Head of HR to join our team at Hovis. Our vision is to be the best quality brand in the bakery world, and we need your help to get there. Specifically, we're looking for a Regional Head of HR (South) who can help our people deliver top-notch products every single day, and help build a sustainable, successful business that continues to wow our stakeholders.

You will have full exposure to the development and implementation of the HR strategy. It's all about achieving our supply chain goals while keeping quality front and centre in everything we do.

As part of the HR Leadership Team, you'll work closely with both the wider HR team (L&D, Comms, Engagement and Operational) and the wider Senior Leadership Teams, having the opportunity to influence at a senior level.

**Sites included within your remit: Avonmouth, Mitcham, Erith, ForestGate - (Bakeries), Wellingborough (Milling site) and Dagenham (Distribution site)**

**What will you be doing?**
- This is a true generalist role that offers a great amount of varietya role where you can get properly stuck in
- Collaborating with the operational teams and site HR Manager to review our organisation structures, including roles, shift patterns, and pay rates. Finding ways to work smarter and more efficiently
- Supporting our operational and site HR Managers in delivering change programmes that boost efficiency and capability
- Taking charge of the OH (Occupational Health) function across Hovis, including managing our Occupational Health and Wellbeing Managers. This is an excellent opportunity for you to develop or enhance line management skills whilst driving and influencing Hovis’s OH and wellbeing agenda
- Building strong working relationships with recognised Unions at both a national and site level
- Providing advice and support to HR and operational teams on industrial relations matters, such as union recognition, duties, time off, and training activities
- Offering guidance and support to HR and operational teams on employee relations issues, including disciplinary and grievance matters
- Working alongside the operational teams and site HR Managers to come up with wage negotiation strategies and processes
- Collaborating with the Hovis HR leadership team to align our HR strategy with our long-range plans, paving the way to a successful future
- Leading change programs related to TUPE and reorganisations (including redundancy). Ensuring these processes are handled professionally, efficiently, and in line with all the necessary rules and policies
- Working with the HR leadership team to review, update, and develop HR policies and practices to stay on top of changes in legislation and industry best practices. Basically, keeping our HR game strong

We're looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about not just the work they do but also the brand they represent. You'll own what you do and have a knack for influencing different stakeholders in a positive way. Your positivity, encouragement, and consistency will help you guide individuals towards specific tasks and behaviours. And hey, you'll even be able to create an exciting vision for the future and lead by example when it comes to our Hovis Leadership Standards.

**What are ‘must haves’ from you?**
- CIPD qualified or equivalent by experience
- Proven experience in an HR role at this level or similar
- Experience supporting operational / functional / HR teams in a fast-paced environment (we like to keep things moving)
- Experience working in a Unionised environment
- The ability to influence all stakeholders, including those at a senior level
- Able to deal with the pressures of a heavy and changing workload, and able to thrive under pressure and bounce back with resilience

**What would be ideal?**
- Previous role within manufacturing / distribution or retail

**Why work for Hovis? What’s in it for you?**

At Hovis, we really get how crucial it is to take care of our colleagues. That's why, on top of your salary, we will provide you with a bunch of relevant benefits. Our benefits at Hovis are as varied as the people that receive them, and you can choose based on your needs. We’re all for adding that extra value, beyond just what’s on