HR Officer

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

A little about Brackley Site :

Our advanced manufacturing site in Brackley, is one of our main processing facilities with over 700 talented people  helping us to deliver high quality products to our customers and making the business a trusted leader in fresh foods.

We’ve recently invested £11 million in advanced technology and colleague amenities, making it one of the most advanced food manufacturing facilities in the UK.

About the Role:

Are you passionate about Employee Relations? Looking for a new challenge? Do you have experience working within a manufacturing/production HR environment? Do you thrive working in a fast-paced growing operation ?  

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to investing in our approach to HR across Avara Foods and are looking for a highly competent and motivated HR Officer to join our HR Team, based at our Brackley site.

The role is office based but there may be a requirement for you to go within the factory environment.

Working hours are Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17.00, but flexibility is required to cover twilight shifts on a regular basis (minimum once a week).

What will you be doing as a HR Officer at Avara?

As a HR Officer, you will serve as a business partner and be a key member of the Human Resources Team. You will develop an effective, engaging and proactive working partnership with managers and colleagues to ensure the provision of timely, professional and effective HR related advice within Company policy and legal requirements.

What will your key responsibilities as HR Officer include?

Employee Relations

• Be responsible for Employee Relations activities within dedicated areas.Give appropriate HR advice on key issues such as disciplinary, grievance and capability, in line with current employment law and Company policies/procedures
• Support Managers in disciplinary, grievance and appeal hearings.This includes involvement in investigations, offering support and guidance to the Manager during the hearing.Taking notes and confirming the outcome of the hearing.
• Taking a proactive approach, lead regular meeting with key stakeholders to address any upcoming issues.
• Ensuring that Managers are aware of Company policies and procedures.Ensuring managers apply these policies and procedures fairly and consistently, in line with good practice and legislative requirements whilst meeting business needs.
• Make recommendations for improvements in process and practices.

Absence Management

• Ensure consistent and robust application of the attendance procedure in line with the Absence Policy
• ·- provide effective advice and guidance on all absence management cases
• Liaise with Occupational Health Advisors as required
• Work with Managers to meet their KPI targets for reducing absence levels.

Headcount/Recruitment

• Work with relevant department managers to manage headcount requirements including actual vs planned heads and identify vacancies, and review skilled roles in line with succession plan
• Work with Resourcing Team to ensure the recruitment of colleagues against headcount requirements in a timely manner
• Assist with the recruitment of skilled and Managerial roles, alongside the Resourcing team

Training Delivery

• Help deliver in house management training to upskill all levels of Management at site
• Support the HR Manager in the delivery of Human Rights and Ethics training to various levels of management across site
• Ongoing coaching and guidance to managers at site around best practice, employment law and Company policies/procedures

Communication / Engagement

• Produce and manage KPI information and report at relevant meetings.
• Act as point of contact for colleague queries/issue, where applicable refer colleague to relevant process to be followed.
• Support the Avara in the Community initiatives

What you’ll need to be successful:

Essential

• Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of employment law
• CIPD qualified or part qualified at Level 5
• Experience of working within a manufacturing or fast paced organisation in a HR role

Desirable

• Graduate calibre, ideally in business or HR related discipline

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels and work effectively within a team,
• A relentless drive to improve performance and deliver outstanding results through new, innovative and more effective ways of working.
• Up to date experience and confident in usage of Microsoft Office and HR packages
• Methodical with an attention to detail whilst working at pace
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external contacts
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Ability to handle conflict/confrontation effectively
• Time Management with an ability to identify and focus on priorities in a varied role

The benefits of working for Avara Foods:

As a HR Officer you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognised and rewarded.

We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your long-term career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things, include the following:

• Up to £41,000 per annum
• 31 days holiday allowance
• Secure contract with long term career development opportunities
• Straight forward pension contribution of 6%
• Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food
• Staff shop / staff sales at hugely discounted prices
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salaried Advance Finance
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, which includes unlimited remote GP appointments and unlimited mental health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second opinion consultation, and other discounts and perks, such as savings & discounts on weekly costs.

*Ts & Cs apply

What happens after you apply for this role?

After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course by a Resourcing Officer at our Brackley site, to discuss your application and CV further. There’ll also be a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about the role.

If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

INDHP #TheAvaraWay

Are you looking for a new challenge at Avara Foods? Would you like to join the HR department as a HR Officer ?

About the role

Working Hours

The role is office based but there may be a requirement for you to go within the factory environment.

Working hours are Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17.00, but flexibility is required to cover twilight shifts on a regular basis (minimum once a week).

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance,

Similar to your current role, you’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop with us in line with career aspirations through personal development

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Be responsible for Employee Relations activities within dedicated areas.Give appropriate HR advice on key issues such as disciplinary, grievance and capability, in line with current employment law and Company policies/procedures
• Support Managers in disciplinary, grievance and appeal hearings.This includes involvement in investigations, offering support and guidance to the Manager during the hearing.Taking notes and confirming the outcome of the hearing.
• Taking a proactive approach, lead regular meeting with key stakeholders to address any upcoming issues.
• Ensuring that Managers are aware of Company policies and procedures.Ensuring managers apply these policies and procedures fairly and consistently, in line with good practice and legislative requirements whilst meeting business needs.
• Make recommendations for improvements in process and practices.

Absence Management

• Ensure consistent and robust application of the attendance procedure in line with the Absence Policy
• ·- provide effective advice and guidance on all absence management cases
• Liaise with Occupational Health Advisors as required
• Work with Managers to meet their KPI targets for reducing absence levels.

Headcount/Recruitment

• Work with relevant department managers to manage headcount requirements including actual vs planned heads and identify vacancies, and review skilled roles in line with succession plan
• Work with Resourcing Team to ensure the recruitment of colleagues against headcount requirements in a timely manner
• Assist with the recruitment of skilled and Managerial roles, alongside the Resourcing team

Training Delivery

• Help deliver in house management training to upskill all levels of Management at site
• Support the HR Manager in the delivery of Human Rights and Ethics training to various levels of management across site
• Ongoing coaching and guidance to managers at site around best practice, employment law and Company policies/procedures

Communication / Engagement

• Produce and manage KPI information and report at relevant meetings.
• Act as point of contact for colleague queries/issue, where applicable refer colleague to relevant process to be followed.
• Support the Avara in the Community initiatives

What do I need to be successful?

Please apply for this internal opportunity via our careers website by clicking the ‘apply’ button below, and a member of the Resourcing Team at your site will be in touch with you soon!

Please make sure that you have discussed this internal opportunity with your Line Manager and that you have made them aware of your application.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.