Zertus UK&I is looking for a motivated and people-focused People Development Manager to lead and coordinate learning and development activities across our UK and Ireland manufacturing sites.

Position type: Full time, permanent

Hours: 37.5per week

Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30

Location: Based at any of our UK manufacturing sites, which are located in Heckington, Bromborough, Sherburn, Fakenham, with hybrid working benefit and travel between UK & Ireland (Navan) sites. 

Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum 

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in food manufacturing or FMCG who’s looking to step into a broader development role or to gain that opportunity to put their learning and development knowledge to use in their first steer heading role. You’ll work closely with the HR Director and HR teams to deliver engaging learning experiences, support professional development, and help build a culture where people can thrive. You will lead a team of on-site training coordinators who support site Operational teams to meet ethical, legal and compliance training needs, along with soft skills to build leadership and behavioural skills. 

We are looking for a resilient, hands-on person who can switch between supporting the HR Director with strategic direction to designing and delivering learning content across all levels of the business. Effective communication skills are vital to manage stakeholder relationships and working with them to help them understand their team's learning needs and how to meet these.

• Supporting the delivery of our people development activities across all UK & Ireland sites.
• Coordinating and delivering our annual Leadership Development Programme (approx February – May ), including site visits and in-person sessions.
• Leading and supporting Training Coordinators at each site to ensure compliance and development training is delivered and tracked effectively.
• Designing and delivering engaging training sessions, workshops, and eLearning content using tools like Articulate.
• Supporting the performance development review (PDR) process and helping managers identify and develop talent.
• Helping to shape and deliver mentoring, graduate, and apprenticeship programmes.
• Working with managers to understand team development needs and create tailored learning solutions.
• Supporting the development and rollout of factory training programmes and competency frameworks.
• Managing the Learning Management System (Papaya LMS), ensuring accurate records, reporting and maintenance by the Training Coordinators.
• Monitoring training budgets and supporting the use of the apprenticeship levy.
• Creating and maintaining learning content on our L&D SharePoint hub.
• Producing reports and KPIs to track learning activity and impact.
• Contributing to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives through learning and development.
• Staying up to date with best practices and bringing fresh ideas to enhance our learning culture.

• CIPD L&D Level 3 or 5 /Train the Trainer/PETLS/Coaching qualification or equivalent experience.
• Able to provide strategic direction along with day to day implementation.
• Experience of delivering leadership training.
• Experience in a food manufacturing or similar environment—understanding the pace, people, and challenges.
• Knowledge of leadership models, coaching and managing stakeholders.
• Knowledge of building factory training programmes and tools such as First Line Management training sessions. 
• A genuine interest in learning and development and helping others grow.
• Confidence using learning systems and tools like LMS platforms and eLearning software.
• A collaborative, resilient, and proactive approach and a willingness to learn and grow in the role.

• Pension (4% Employer Contributions). 
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary.  
• Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling cover), along with access to Paycare Perks for exclusive high street and retailer discounts.  
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase Salary Sacrifice Scheme – buy up to one extra week per year (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme  (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme  (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working opportunities and Maternity and Paternity leave above statutory minimum.
• Annual engagement calendar covering an array of activities and educational events promoting diversity and inclusion. 
• Participate in supporting your local community with opportunities to spend one day per year. volunteering or fundraising and gain company-matched sponsorship.
• Company Wellbeing agenda including annual Wellbeing Week, Menopause Support Group and Mental Health First Aid programme.
• Access to staff shops with exclusive discounts.
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’.
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
• Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional memberships).  
• Engagement with GroceryAid.