Senior Human Resources Advisor

As Senior HR Advisor here at Cumberland Farms, you will support in delivering high-quality, transactional HR support to our Starbucks Management Teams across 156 stores across the UK. You will ensure consistent, compliant and people centred HR practice. This role is fast-paced, operational and requires a confident HR professional who can provide clear guidance, manage complex casework and uphold Cumberland Farms' HR standards while supporting the evolving needs of our Starbucks franchise.

Key Role Outputs & Actions:

• Employee Relations Casework - Lead and advise on disciplinaries, grievances, investigations, performance management, capability, and absence management, ensuring all cases are handled fairly, consistently, and in line with policy.
• Policy & Process Guidance - Provide expert advice on HR policies, processes, and procedures, supporting managers to apply them confidently and correctly.
• Maternity, Paternity & Family Leave - Manage and advise on all family-related policies, ensuring compliance with legislation and providing clear guidance to managers and employees.
• Employment Law & Compliance - Ensure all HR activity aligns with UK employment law, supporting managers with complex queries and escalating risks appropriately.
• Tribunal Preparation - Support with early-stage tribunal preparation, documentation collation, and liaison with legal partners where required.
• HR Reporting & Systems - Maintain accurate HRIS records, produce reports, and ensure data integrity across all HR systems.
• Stakeholder Support - Build strong relationships with Starbucks Store Managers, District Managers, and Operations Leaders, acting as a trusted HR advisor.
• Change & Agility - Adapt quickly to changing priorities, business needs, and operational demands within a high-volume retail environment.
• Training & Coaching - Provide coaching and guidance to managers to build capability and confidence in handling people matters.

Skills, Knowledge and

Experience:

• Proven experience in a Senior HR Advisor or HR Advisor role within a fast-paced, multi-site or retail environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, HR legislation and HR best practice.
• Demonstrable experience managing high-volume ER casework including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, performance and family leave.
• Experience supporting or preparing for employment tribunals.
• Confident interpreting and applying HR policies, processes and procedures.
• Strong technical capability with Microsoft Office, Zoom and HRIS platforms.
• Ability to work with pace, agility and resilience in an ever-changing environment.

Key Skills and Behaviours:

• Agility & Adaptability - Thrives in a fast-moving environment with shifting priorities.
• Relationship Building - Able to influence and support managers at all levels.
• Communication Excellence - Clear, confident and professional communication style.
• Problem Solving - Able to assess risk, propose solutions and make sound recommendations.
• Attention to Detail - Accurate, thorough and diligent with documentation and data.
• Resilience - Comfortable managing challenging conversations and sensitive issues.