Group HR manager

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working towards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

At Dale Farm, our success is built on our people. Following a restructure within our Group HR function, we have an exciting opportunity for a Group HR Manager to join the team and play a central role in strengthening operational HR support across the business.

Operating across a complex, multi-site manufacturing environment, this role will lead the operational HR agenda for the Group, providing clear leadership and direction to the HR team while partnering with senior leaders to drive performance, engagement and organisational capability.

Reporting to the Group HR Director, and working in close partnership with the Head of Learning & Development you will play a key role in shaping a high‑performing, agile organisation aligned to our growth ambitions.

This is a senior leadership role with broad impact across the business. Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the delivery of a consistent, high-quality HR service across a multi‑site, unionised environment
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and operational teams, supporting delivery of business priorities through effective people practices
• Leading complex employee and industrial relations activity, including union engagement and negotiations
• Driving workforce planning and organisational design to support evolving business needs
• Partnering with the Head of Learning & Development to deliver an integrated approach to talent, succession and capability development
• Embedding high‑performance practices, including performance management and leadership development
• Ensuring HR policies, processes and governance frameworks are robust, compliant and consistently applied
• Play a key role in organisational change, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across the Group
• Leading and supporting the HR team to deliver a consistent, high-quality operational HR service across a multi‑site, unionised environment

We are looking for a commercially focused HR leader who operate confidently at senior level and ensure operational HR activity continues to add real value to the business. You will bring:

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role within a complex, multi‑site organisation (ideally manufacturing or industrial)
• Strong track record in employee relations and industrial relations, including union engagement
• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders and leadership teams
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance people and business priorities
• A pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach with strong judgement
• Excellent communication and leadership capability
  
  Ideally CIPD qualified with third‑level education

Dale Farm is a leading dairy co‑operative with…