As we continue our mission to make people happy through chocolate, we’re looking for aRetail HR Advisorto join ourHRteam on apermanentbasis.

As HR Advisor for Retail, you’ll build effective working relationships across the Retail estate, working closely with our Store and District Managers to provide expert advice and guidance on HR related queries across the employee lifecycle. Focussing on employee relations (ER) cases, you’ll ensure HR matters are handled effectively and in a timely manner, balancing any associated risk with commercial needs.

You’ll also work closely with the Retail HR Manager, identifying trends and opportunities to improve the employee experience and supporting on HR projects in line with our People Shapers.

As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you’ll receive50%discount on all products, and a70%discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.

Here at Hotel Chocolat, we've adoptedhybrid working. This means you’ll join us on site fortwo days a week (one day out in a store as needed and one at one of our support sites), and for the other three days – you can work from wherever you like! The on-site locations for this role are our Support Office, ‘Mint House’, in Royston, Hertfordshire and our distribution office in St Neots when the HR Team come together to work collaboratively.

Please note: you will need a full UK driving licence for this position.

What you’ll be doing….

Advising, coaching, and developing our Retail management teams to deal with ER cases (disciplinaries, grievance, sickness absence, etc.) and HR matters and support with writing and reviewing letters. Supporting Retail management teams with completing and submitting OH referrals. Attending and chairing weekly Retail HR Surgeries: providing advice, coaching and guidance to Retail management teams. Travelling to stores and premises throughout the UK and ROI to support with ER cases as needed and accompanying the Retail HR Manager on periodic store visits. Attending Retail Leadership Meetings and Retail District Meetings. Leading on complex/higher risk ER cases, escalating to the Retail HR Manager where necessary. Assisting and coaching the Omnichannel HR Support Coordinator with low level ER cases and acting as a point of escalation for Retail HR queries. Assisting in ongoing creation and maintenance of Hotel Chocolat’s HR policies and procedures. Reviewing feedback from Retail Exit Surveys to identify patterns and trends, highlighting areas for improvement to the Retail HR Manager. Working with the HR Systems & Data Analyst to produce reports detailing key HR metrics for Retail and feedback on any patterns and trends. Assisting the Retail HR Manager and L&D Manager in creating and delivering HR-related training to the Retail teams. Assisting the Omnichannel Recruitment Advisor with Retail recruitment initiatives and queries. Maintaining up to date with UK and ROI employment legislation and trends and attending internal and external training events where necessary. Supporting the Retail HR Manager and wider Omnichannel HR Team to deliver projects and initiatives stemming from Company, Retail and HR strategy.

Who you are…

You’re a great communicator, both verbally and written, able to interact across all levels of the business to build strong effective and trusting relationships. Resilient under pressure, you will be used to handling a high volume of ER cases whilst managing competing demands and peak periods in a fast-paced, continually changing and adapting environment. 

Essential

Experience advising on and managing a high volume of ER cases of varying complexity up to and including dismissals and appeals. Excellent knowledge and understanding of UK employment law, regulations, and best practice.

Desirable

Experience in actively contributing to and driving forward people initiatives and HR project work. Experience of dealing with settlement agreements, ACAS resolutions and employment tribunal cases. Demonstrable experience working in an HR role within a retail or hospitality environment.

Who are we?

We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.

A cacao pod takes years to grow – it can’t be rushed if it’s going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.

Now, we’re market leaders in the industry. What began as an online-only business grew to over 100 stores across the UK, and we’re still growing… Today, we’re multi-category, multi-channel, and multi-territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.