People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR)

HR | Leyland, Leeds | Start date: 01/08/2026 | Full Time | Permanent

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services – quality and an innovative spirit set us apart.

What awaits you? It's up to you! At Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don't you?

JOIN THE TASTE.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The People & Culture Director (Executive Head of HR) is responsible for leading the people agenda in the UK Market, aligning global People & Culture frameworks with the business needs. Operating within a matrix structure, this role balances local regulatory and cultural requirements with regional and global priorities, ensuring an engaged, high-performing, and inclusive workforce.

Strategic Leadership Brief:

Position in Structure: Member of the Market Leadership Team; reports to Managing Director and Senior Executive Manager People & Culture International (dotted).

Strategic Mandate: The People & Culture Director is the bridge between global People & Culture strategy and the local business reality. This role is pivotal in ensuring that:

•    Global frameworks are translated effectively into the local market.
•    Local culture, laws, and employee expectations are integrated into people strategies.
•    The market leadership team is equipped with the leadership, talent, and culture required for business success.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Strategic Partnership: Act as trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team; shape and deliver the local people strategy aligned with business priorities to drive commercial outcomes. 
•    Talent & Leadership Development: Lead workforce and succession planning, and build leadership capability to ensure a strong, sustainable pipeline of successors for critical roles. 
•    Culture & Engagement: Champion company values, DE&I initiatives, and employee engagement programs to foster inclusion and alignment across the market. 
•    Organizational Development & Change: Support organizational effectiveness and lead transformation and change management initiatives, embedding agility and resilience.
•    Employee Relations & Compliance: Ensure compliance with local labor laws and manage relationships with works councils, unions, and employee representatives.
•    Operational Excellence: Oversee delivery of HR processes (recruitment, reward, performance, learning, etc.).
•    Matrix Alignment: Balance global direction with local execution; ensure market needs are understood and represented at regional/global level.

Expected Impact:

•    A leadership team aligned on people and culture priorities.
•    Market people strategy directly enabling business growth and transformation.
•    A resilient, engaged, and inclusive workforce.
•    Clear succession readiness and leadership bench strength.
•    Smooth execution of global initiatives, adapted to local realities.

WHAT YOU BRING

Qualifications & Experience:

•    Extensive experience in a senior HR/People leadership role, ideally within a multinational and matrix structure.
•    Strong expertise in talent management, organizational design, change leadership, and employee relations.
•    Demonstrated ability to balance global frameworks with local requirements.
•    Proven leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
•    In-depth knowledge and experience in UK employment law and employment relations, rewards & benefits, etc.
•    Bachelors degree or Masters (ideally HR). 
•    Chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) (Essential). 
•    Qualifications in Organizational design, psychology, employment law would be highly beneficial

Key Competencies:

•    Strategic thinking & commercial acumen
•    Leadership & influence
•    Collaboration across matrix structures
•    Strong interpersonal & communication skills
•    Data-driven decision-making

Success Measures:

•    Alignment of people strategy to business goals and global People & Culture direction.
•    Improved employee engagement, retention, and leadership pipeline.
•    Effective execution of global HR initiatives adapted to local needs.
•    Positive compliance and employee relations record.

WHAT WE OFFER

This role offers a competitive salary alongside many other benefits including; 

•    33 days annual leave (inc bank holidays) which increases with service 
•    Free Life Assurance at 4 times basic annual salary 
•    Enhanced Company Sick Pay 
•    Salary sacrifice Pension scheme (3% employee contribution, 6% employer contribution) 
•    Private medical insurance (BUPA) 
•    Health care Cash Plan Scheme (BUPA) 
•    Annual healthy heart MOT’s 
•    Enhanced Family Friendly Leave 
•    Free pizzas 
•    Subsidised on site restaurant with hot and cold meals, a salad/deli bar, snack machines and microwaves and storage facilities for those who prefer to bring their own 
•    Free tea, coffee and fresh fruit. 
•    Free on-site parking  
•    Free Wi-Fi on site 
•    Employee Referral Scheme £350 – once you know how great it is to work here, you’ll want to bring your friends and family! 
•    Regular Employee Forums ensuring all employees have a voice 
•    Incentivised employee suggestion scheme 
•    Employee loyalty scheme recognising length of service milestones at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 20 years and beyond! 
•    Cycle to Work Scheme 
•    Free eye test vouchers