As People Operations Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting the growth and success of our business. We have a number of business channels, including 50 Cloud Kitchens, a restaurant and pasta counter in Harrods, our Pastificio (pasta factory), head office and three restaurants (one owned and two franchised), with more to come in the future.
In this role, you will manage employee relations, including disciplinary and grievance procedures, ensure compliance with policies and employment legislation, and oversee payroll.
You will focus on improving employee engagement, upskilling managers and streamlining HR processes in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, while championing the company's passion for Italian food and values.
- You understand the scale-up culture and are driven to resolve issues efficiently, ensuring quick and effective solutions.
- You will take pride in being the first point of contact for employees across the business, addressing concerns and resolving issues with integrity, always in line with our values.
- You will manage employee relations, absences, capability, disciplinary matters, grievances and conflict resolution with fairness, conducting investigations where necessary and ensuring timely and compliant outcomes.
- You will provide valuable guidance to managers on best practice in managing challenging situations and fostering a positive and productive workplace culture.
- You will develop, implement and update HR policies in line with legal requirements and business objectives, ensuring consistency and clarity across the organisation.
- You will confidently advise managers and employees on the application of policies and ensure strict compliance with employment legislation.
- You will manage and work with the Payroll and HR Administrator to oversee payroll processes, ensuring administration is accurate, timely and fully compliant.
- You will manage employee benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, handling all related issues with care and efficiency.
- You will take the lead in advising on and managing maternity and paternity leave processes, ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation and company policy.
- You will drive the performance review process, ensuring that employees receive regular, constructive feedback and clear development pathways.
- You will manage and conduct employee engagement surveys, helping to shape a positive and engaged workforce.
- You will support managers in addressing performance issues, providing coaching and guidance to improve individual and team performance.
- You will maintain accurate HR records, ensuring that our systems (Planday and Charlie HR) are up to date and compliant with data protection regulations.
- You will carry out right to work checks for new starters and manage visa expiry processes with precision.
- You will oversee documentation for current and new hires, ensuring that all contracts, legal paperwork and personal information are properly managed.
- Ensure a seamless onboarding experience for new hires, setting them up for success from day one.
- Generate insightful HR reports, providing valuable data to senior management for informed decision making and strategic planning.
- You will manage and mentor the Payroll and HR Administrator, fostering a collaborative, efficient and dynamic HR function.
- You will lead the refinement of HR processes to make them scalable, efficient and perfectly aligned with the evolving needs of the business.
- You will actively contribute to key projects that drive the business forward, supporting
initiatives that benefit the wider organisation.
- You are passionate about Italian food and the vibrant culture that drives our fast-paced, scale-up business.
- You are an experienced People Operations professional with at least 4 years' experience within the hospitality industry and a CIPD Level 5 qualification or above.
- You have proven expertise in managing employee relations, including disciplinary matters, grievances and complex leave policies such as maternity and paternity leave.
- You have a solid track record of overseeing payroll processes, ensuring full compliance with employment legislation.
- You are highly skilled at managing HR processes in a fast-paced, growth-driven environment.
- You are an exceptional communicator, able to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy, fairness and tact.
- You are a strategic thinker who excels at coaching managers and refining HR processes to support the company's scaling efforts.
- You take pride in coaching and motivating team members to drive continuous improvement.
- You are proficient in HR software and payroll systems with a strong focus on accuracy,
compliance and efficiency.
- You are experienced in using Planday or similar time and attendance systems to streamline operations.
- You have advanced skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint or G Suite to ensure smooth operations and effective presentations.
- You have a can do, will do attitude. You don't turn a blind eye to problems - you tackle them head-on with a strong desire to find solutions.
- You are exceptionally detail-oriented and committed to never cutting corners in your work.
- ... A pasta lover!
- Competitive salary to attract best talent
- Join a dynamic, fast-moving & diverse team
- Discount at our counter and restaurant in Harrods
- Regular team socials and pasta tastings
- Free Pasta Evangelists products
- Referral bonus Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- 25 days of paid annual leave (plus bank holidays)
Pasta Evangelists was born seven years ago out of a desire to become the authority in fresh pasta. We’re on a mission to reimagine and elevate pasta as a category, which is worth a staggering £3.8bn yet has seen little innovation for decades.
Since launching our original fresh pasta recipe kit service in 2016, we have built a cult following of British pasta lovers – our Evangelists – who are passionate about discovering the breadth and variety of pasta, as well as the irresistible stories behind it.
Today, Pasta Evangelists is backed by Barilla (the world’s biggest pasta company) and is proud to be the UK’s biggest pasta brand by revenues, as well as one of the UK’s fastest-growing startups. In addition to our website, our recipe kits are also available for customers to purchase through major online retailers like Ocado & Amazon Fresh. Londoners can also treat themselves to fine Italian dinings at our high-end Harrods Pasta Bar, or learn to make our signature dishes from scratch at our viral Pasta Academy, where we welcome thousands of pasta lovers every month.
Most recently, we’ve been busy disrupting Britain’s pizza-centric Italian takeaway market with a brand new fresh pasta takeaway concept, available on pastaevangelists.com as well as major delivery players like Deliveroo, UberEats and JustEat. With more than 40 kitchens across the UK, we’re expanding coverage to new cities on an almost weekly basis (including our first openings in Scotland and Wales!). We've also opened the UK's biggest pastificio (which, in Italian, means pasta factory, but 'pastificio' better reflects the type of fresh, artisanal pasta we produce) in Acton, West London, allowing us to make ever more exciting and ambitious pasta and sauces for our customers.
Given our ambitions, we are looking for exceptional professionals to lead our business through its next growth chapter.
