HRBP IM Logistics - North chez Gandwukeurope

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep-sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.

In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including Freightliner Group Ltd, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Job title:                                  HR Business Partner – IML

Reports to:                              Head of HR Operations, G&W UK/ Europe Region

Location:                                 Flexible but expectation to travel (see Scope of Role)

Safety Critical:                         No

On call requirement:               No, but expectation to respond to issues as soon as practical as they may arise e.g. weekends, shift.

Purpose of the role:

Reporting to the Head of HR IM Logistics and Central Services, you will provide a strategic and operational interface between the HR function and the Intermodal (IML) business functional teams to drive the strategic vision of continually improving the customer experience and to maximize business performance. You will be expected to coach, train, support and challenge the respective Terminal & Road Services team in delivering our business strategy and organisational culture through people. This post is an important management position, based in each business service, creating close working relationships as necessary in order to deliver an excellent HR service to the business. You will promote a functional approach that is mature and pragmatic, challenging where appropriate and professional in all areas of delivery.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide professional, expert, HR advice, coaching and support to cross-functional management team (SLT to Line) within Terminal & Road Services, and across a defined geographical area, and in line with respective company/ Group policy and procedures;
• Identify opportunities to continually develop business services products by demonstrating the value of our people and influencing others to achieve increased productivity, attendance and engagement;
• Development and delivery of targeted line manager up-skilling, working closely with other members of the wider HR team (e.g. Terminal & Road BP for South, Midlands, L&D) on company-wide initiatives and leadership of the wider talent agenda within your business services area (e.g. performance development, succession planning); 
• Ensure the people strategy aligns with the business agenda, maximizing our people’s potential within the Terminal & Road Services business structure and anticipating future changes and trends which are likely to impact the Rail Services business;
• Interpretation and application of the multiple terms and conditions of any relevant collective agreements that apply within Terminal & Road Services;
• Work with local management and local employee representatives where appropriate to resolve problems at source;
• Act as the escalation point for any grievances, disciplinary or attendance procedure hearings/ appeals from within your business services area;
• Ensure effective communication between the senior leadership team across the business (including Rail Services where applicable) in a coaching, supportive and challenging manner, ensuring managers within your region are competent and confident in the application of HR policies and practice
• Lead all complex cases and provide high level advice, guidance and support on all HR matters to minimise risk and financial exposure, acting within your level of competence;
• Provide coaching, guidance and support to enable managers to formulate pragmatic and business-focused solutions which are balanced with policy application and broader employment legislation;
• Work with your line manager to ensure minimal risk of any employment tribunals and mitigate risk to the business by ensuring any cases that do arise are robust. Ensure that any lessons learnt are shared with the wider business services teams;
• Work closely with business leaders and line managers to achieve shared organizational objectives, in particular, implementation and review of HRIS systems and processes that support strategic business aims;
• Attend and support Terminal & Road Services local and business councils ensuring we achieve our business objectives and maintain positive working relationships with trade unions;
• Support initiatives involving interaction with occupational health and employee assistance providers, focusing on maximising employee attendance and promotion of staff wellbeing;
• Ensure that all relevant legislation requirements are embedded within Terminal & Road Services ensuring consistent, but practical advice is provided to employees and managers across the business;
• Lead, measure and evaluate any actions resulting from employee engagement surveys;
• Support and drive Sox principles within your area of responsibility, identifying any potential deficiencies in controls and immediately remedy those within remit;
• Ensure robust recruitment and induction and an ongoing development programme is in place for Terminal & Road Services;
• Get involved in any ad hoc projects, duties as may be required from time to time.

Key job requirements  

• Experience of working in a “matrix” organisation and ability to demonstrate the capability to support the HR Business Partnering framework within it;
• Relevant degree, CIPD qualified or equivalent via demonstrable experience;
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of multiple sets of terms and conditions relevant to your business services and the ability to apply and interpret them;
• Comprehensive knowledge of current employment legislation and its implications for the employer and employees, and the ability to apply in practice to resolve problems at source;
• Experience in drafting, negotiating and executing settlement agreements through to conclusion;
• Previous experience of working in a professional HR function dealing with various Trades Unions;
• Demonstrates ability to cope with a “high-maintenance” management team i.e. the ability to handle complex issues in a busy HR environment including experience of managing high volume HR processes;
• IT Skills e.g. MS PowerPoint, Word & Excel;
• Demonstrates business awareness and the ability to influence with credibility;
• A strong communicator with the ability to advise as appropriate on sensitive HR issues at all levels, through exceptional interpersonal skills and diplomacy;
• Ability to work on own initiative and under pressure to deadlines; Knowledge and experience of dealing with various HR procedures e.g. disciplinary, grievance, attendance and performance management systems.
• Knowledge and experience of leading change management initiatives e.g. business restructuring, TUPE transfers and managing the people implications of the impact of new technology and changes to working practices;
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work flexibly across a range of wide HR issues;
• Strong analytical, diagnostic and problem solving skills;
• Strong time management, organisation and prioritisation skills and the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines;
• Ability to travel and work across a wide geographical area, covering multiple locations.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Attacks goals and objectives with drive, energy and enthusiasm;
• Proactive approach to work and uses own initiative to implement improvements;
• Embraces new challenges, is hands  on and gets things done;
• Sets high standards of work for self, and team, and consistently achieves these;
• High level of integrity and openness, combined with commitment to good governance; Energetic, highly motivated, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation, in pursuit of business growth and success;
• Leads by example and provides honest and clear leadership that helps drive results;
• Listens attentively to others’ perspectives and provides constructive feedback and coaching;
• Exhibits and lives the Group’s core values:
• Focus for disciplined growth;
• Integrity to earn the trust of others;
• Respect for all people with whom we deal;
• Excellence in everything we do.

Organisation Chart

Provide separately.

Scope of role

Approximately 600+ people employed in Terminal and Road Services, for the Northern Region

Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential.

We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles.

In return we can offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.