HR Director

Michael Page is delighted to be partnering with a highly respected, multi-site international FMCG organisation to appoint a People Director, reporting to the CPO. This is a pivotal, senior leadership role with enterprise-wide impact, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a progressive people strategy during a period of significant transformation.

This is not a 'steady-state' role. It is a mandate to lead, influence and evolve.

Client Details

Our customer is a highly commercial multi-site international FMCG business with a passion for innovation, customer-centricity and talent development.

Description

Reporting to the CPO, and partnering the regional MD, the People Director will lead a sizeable, multi-disciplinary HR function and act as a true strategic partner to the business. You will play a central role in driving organisational performance, capability and culture across a complex, international footprint.

The organisation is undergoing a sustained period of change, including:

Implementation of a new HRIS platform
Ongoing M&A activity and divestments
Driving operational efficiencies and cost optimisation
Designing and embedding a new People Target Operating Model
Developing career architecture and progression pathways
Evolving reward frameworks and propositions
Elevating management and leadership capability

This role offers the scope to shape the future of the people agenda in a business where HR is seen as a critical lever for success.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and develop a high-performing HR function across all Centres of Excellence, including Reward, Talent, L&D, ER, and People Operations
Define and execute a forward-looking people strategy aligned to business transformation goals
Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making at Executive and Board level
Drive organisational design, workforce planning and capability development across a multi-site, international environment
Lead complex change and transformation programmes, ensuring engagement, pace and delivery
Oversee and evolve employee relations strategy, including engagement with Trade Unions and European Works Councils
Embed a modern, scalable People Operating Model that supports growth, efficiency and consistency
Champion inclusive leadership and ensure a culture that enables performance, accountability and progressionThis role is based in Manchester 2 to 3 days per week, and will require monthly international travel.

Profile

This role requires a commercially astute, credible and highly experienced HR leader who thrives in complexity and change.

You will bring:

Proven experience leading a full-service HR function, spanning all Centres of Excellence
A track record of operating at strategic leadership level within a large, multi-site and international environment
Deep expertise in Trade Union engagement and negotiation, alongside experience working with European Works Councils
Demonstrated success delivering large-scale transformation programmes (e.g. HRIS, TOM design, M&A integration/separation, efficiency drives)
Strong organisational design and change leadership capability
The ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution
Gravitas, resilience and the ability to influence at the most senior levels
A leadership style that builds high-performing, engaged and accountable teams

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine breadth, complexity and impact. You will be part of a leadership team shaping the future of a well-established yet evolving international business.

For an ambitious People Director, this offers:

A platform to lead transformation at scale
The ability to shape and modernise the entire people agenda
Exposure to complex, high-value business change
The opportunity to build and leave a lasting legacyJob Offer

This role pays up to £100,000 to £130,000 per annum (dependant on experience), inclusive of a car allowance, performance related bonus and a suite of benefits