About us

Newly Weds® Foods is a leading, privately owned global food ingredients business and has been innovating since 1932. The European division is a market leader in the manufacture of coatings, seasonings and functional ingredient systems.

Today, Newly Weds® Foods is a world leader in food ingredient technology. A network of R&D, manufacturing and service facilities around the globe allows us to serve our customers’ needs in more than 68 countries. But despite our size and scope, we’ve continued to be an independent, family-owned business answerable only to the demands of our customers. That’s why we continue to invest in infrastructure, human resources and capacity to keep pace with our customers’ needs and expectations.

The Role

This role will provide clear ownership of company-wide people initiatives, ensuring “People” matters have a consistent voice at the leadership table and a coordinated approach across the organisation. With HR teams at our three key sites operating very leanly and focused on day-to-day activity, this role will drive the longer-term people strategy.

Key priorities include supporting the renewed focus on Europe in line with Project 2030, developing training programmes to improve factory performance, leading work to harmonise terms and conditions as part of the “One NewlyWeds” vision, and strengthening succession planning.

Success will be measured through clear outcomes, including reduced absenteeism and sickness, improved productivity, and reduced write-offs as a result of effective training and development.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Europe Executive team and Global HR VP to develop and deliver the People strategy for Europe, providing strategic HR leadership across the region.

• Review and optimise organisational design to support business growth and operational effectiveness.

• Lead employee engagement initiatives to improve engagement levels and reduce absenteeism.

• Oversee compensation and benefits, including delivery of the “One NewlyWeds” Terms and Conditions project in a cost-effective way.

• Strengthen performance management and talent mapping programmes, ensuring clear succession planning at all levels.

• Ensure compliance with UK and European employment law and act as a trusted advisor during regulatory audits (e.g. BRCGS, ISO, SMETA).

• Develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development programme to support capability and performance.

• Lead the people aspects of post-acquisition integration work, beginning with JDM in 2026.

• Oversee talent acquisition and internal recruitment, building the NewlyWeds employer brand to attract high-quality talent.

• Lead, coach and develop HR Managers across all sites.

• Establish and deliver standardised HR KPIs across locations to measure performance and impact.

• Partner with EHS and Operations to strengthen a safety-first culture.

• Develop wellbeing initiatives, absence management processes and occupational health programmes.

• Collaborate with international colleagues to support global talent outreach and short- and long-term talent exchange programmes.

Person Specification

• Proven HR Director experience, ideally within a manufacturing or operational environment.

• Track record of developing and delivering people strategies that support business performance.

• Experience leading organisation-wide initiatives such as training and development, succession planning, and harmonisation of terms and conditions.

• Strong understanding of HR practices across multi-site organisations.

• Credible and confident leader who ensures people matters have a strong voice at the leadership table.

• Proactive and solution-focused, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational realities.

• Collaborative approach, working effectively with lean site HR teams to deliver organisation-wide improvements.

• Passionate about building capability, improving engagement, and driving performance through people.

Working Hours

This role is full-time, working Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Due to the nature of the position, regular travel and flexibility to work across all UK sites is required.

Salary

Starting from £120,000 per annum, depending on experience.