Human Resources Business Partner

HR Business Partner – Food DivisionLocation: Coventry & Warwickshire (with travel across our Food stores)

Contract: Fixed-term, 18 months

Salary: £38,000 – £41,000 per annum

At the Heart of England Co-operative Society, our people are at the centre of everything we do. We’re proud of our history, our values, and our role in serving local communities — and now we’re looking for an experienced and motivated HR Business Partner to join our People and Culture team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact by supporting our Food Division and driving forward our people strategy.

About the role

Reporting to the Senior HR Business Partner, you will play a key role in aligning our people strategy with the operational needs of the Food Division. Acting as a true partner to our Area Managers and store leadership teams, you will provide proactive, colleague-focused HR support that drives engagement, performance, and organisational change.

You will be visible across our stores, helping to shape culture, support leadership capability, and ensure that HR best practice is embedded throughout the business. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a variety of projects – from workforce planning and new store openings, to complex employee relations cases and training initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with area managers to deliver the Food Division’s people strategy.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and colleague engagement initiatives.
• Support and coach managers to drive performance and embed a positive workplace culture.
• Provide HR expertise on projects including store refits and new openings.
• Build and conduct HR audits across stores.
• Lead and advise on complex employee relations matters.
• Contribute to the annual Learning & Development plan and wider HR projects.
• Monitor and apply HR trends and employment legislation to continuously improve practice.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

• CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent), ideally with a degree.
• Knowledgeable about employment legislation.
• Experienced in project management and data analysis.
• Confident presenting to stakeholders at all levels.
• Skilled with advanced Excel and PowerPoint.
• Organised, resilient, and able to influence effectively.
• A natural relationship-builder, with strong coaching and communication skills.
• Passionate about people development, colleague engagement, and making the Heart of England Co-op a great place to work.

What we offer

• A competitive salary of £38,000 – £41,000 per annum.
• The chance to work within a values-driven organisation that puts people first.
• Opportunities to develop and grow your HR career in a supportive environment.
• The satisfaction of making a real difference across a business with deep roots in the local community.

How to apply

If you’re ready to bring your HR expertise to an organisation with strong values and a commitment to its colleagues, we’d love to hear from you.