Talent & Culture Partner (London)

Help build the talent that will shape our future

At CEF, we've been supporting customers, communities and the electrical industry for over 75 years. As a family-owned business, we've always believed that great people are at the heart of our success. Today, we're continuing to invest in the people, culture and talent that will help us grow for the future.

About us

City Electrical Factors (CEF) is the UK's leading Electrical Wholesaler with over 390 branches. We are a multi-national Electrical Wholesaler with locations in the UK, North America, Ireland, Spain and Australia. In addition to our wholesale operations, we also have a number of manufacturing and distribution companies.

At the heart of everything we do lies a clear purpose, supported by meaningful goals and values that guide the way we work. These aren't just words on a page - they shape our decisions, our culture, and the way we engage with one another and the communities we serve. Together, they provide the foundation that enables us to grow, adapt, and make a positive difference. What makes us stronger still is that our entire team shares these same beliefs. By working together with a common purpose, aligned goals and shared values, we are building more than just a business - we are creating a brighter tomorrow for everyone.

We believe that having a strong sense of purpose gives us direction and meaning. Our purpose at CEF is to inspire the exceptional everyday. It's what drives us to go above and beyond for each other, our customers, our suppliers and the communities we serve.

Our values are:

We are a caring family – At CEF, we care about our people, as friends, as a community and as one team.

We are humble and honest – At CEF, we are modest and act with integrity, always holding ourselves to the highest standard.

We are passionately curious – At CEF, we are resourceful, we encourage our teams to take the initiative with a strong desire to be curious and seek out opportunities to learn and grow. We work together to find creative solutions.

The role

We're looking for a Talent & Culture Partner to join our People, Culture & Talent team and work closely with Group Managers across the London region.

A new role for CEF, this is a unique opportunity to influence the full talent journey. You'll partner with the PCT team, Directors of Ops and Group Managers to understand the challenges and opportunities within their teams and help create practical, long-term solutions that attract, recruit, develop and retain great people. You'll play a key role in shaping the culture and team member experience across the region, helping Group Managers create environments where people feel welcomed, supported, developed and able to perform at their best. You'll support them to strengthen local recruitment approaches, identify new talent pipelines, create pathways for internal talent and develop their team members. Ultimately, you'll help our Group Managers build teams that are set up for long-term success.

This is a highly visible role, with significant travel across branches and group offices in the London region, and occasionally across the UK to meet with the wider People, Culture and Talent team. Success will come from being present in the business, building strong relationships and understanding the needs of the people and communities we serve.

What you'll be doing, in partnership with your stakeholders:

Talent Attraction

• Understanding the talent challenges and opportunities across their teams.
• Strengthening recruitment approaches and candidate experiences across the region.
• Helping to identify opportunities to build future talent pipelines through schools, colleges, apprenticeships, work experience programmes and community engagement.
• Building trusted relationships across the region and becoming a valued partner and source of expertise.
• Supporting the development and delivery of practical talent plans that strengthen attraction, recruitment, development and retention.

Talent Development

• Identifying, nurturing and developing internal talent, creating opportunities for growth and career progression.
• Working with Group Managers to identify future talent and succession opportunities within their teams.
• Encouraging Group Managers to create meaningful development opportunities that help team members realise their potential and progress their careers.
• Sharing best practice and working collaboratively with team members across the wider People, Culture & Talent team.
• Helping Group Managers create consistent and engaging onboarding experiences that support new team members to settle successfully into the business.

Talent Engagement

• Supporting initiatives that improve team member engagement and retention.
• Using data, insight and feedback to identify trends, opportunities and areas of focus.
• Partnering with Group Managers to understand the factors that influence team member engagement, retention and performance.
• Helping Group Managers create environments where team members feel valued, supported and able to thrive.
• Working with Group Managers to strengthen team cultures that reflect CEF's purpose, goals and values.

About you

You'll be a relationship-builder who enjoys turning ideas into action and helping your stakeholders create opportunities for people to succeed.

You'll bring:

• A CIPD qualification (or equivalent)
• Experience in a people, culture, talent, recruitment or related partnering role.
• A broad understanding of the talent lifecycle, from attraction and recruitment through to development and retention.
• Experience creating or supporting talent initiatives that deliver measurable results.
• The ability to spot opportunities, solve problems and turn insight into practical plans.
• Experience coaching, supporting and challenging leaders.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and a genuine passion for developing people.
• The flexibility to travel regularly across the London region, and occasionally UK-wide.

If you're passionate about talent, enjoy building relationships and want to play a key role in shaping the future of our teams, we'd love to hear from you.

CEF are an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time & permanent.

Team Member Rewards & Discounts: Access to our comprehensive online savings platform, providing discounts, cashback, and special offers across major retail, travel, and lifestyle brands.

Work authorisation: United Kingdom (required).

Work location: In person, London region, base location within London to be mutually agreed.

Company car will be provided.

£60,000 per annumn

• Company car 
• Team Member Rewards & Discounts: Access to our comprehensive online savings platform, providing discounts, cashback, and special offers across major retail, travel, and lifestyle brands.