Standalone HR Manager

We are currently working with a fantastic SME business who are looking to recruit an experienced and proactive standalone HR Manager who has previous experience within the manufacturing sector to oversee the smooth running of the HR function across two sites.

Reporting directly to the Financial Controller, this is a varied, hands-on generalist HR role where you will provide HR support and guidance to managers and employees, ensuring the business remains compliant with current UK employment legislation while promoting a positive, engaging and supportive working environment.

You will play a key role in developing and implementing HR policies, procedures and initiatives, supporting the full employee lifecycle and working closely with managers and the senior leadership team to ensure people strategies are aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert HR advice and guidance to managers on all employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management and absence management.
• Ensure both businesses remain compliant with current UK employment legislation, keeping up to date with legislative changes and advising the leadership team accordingly.
• Assisting managers with the full recruitment and onboarding process, including preparing job descriptions, advertising vacancies, shortlisting, interviewing and supporting selection decisions.
• Ensure all new employees have the appropriate right to work documentation and meet legal employment requirements.
• Develop, review and maintain HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks and contracts of employment.
• Support managers with short- and long-term absence cases, providing guidance and helping to develop their confidence in managing absence effectively.
• Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives, developing strategies to create a positive workplace culture.
• Support learning and development activities, identifying training needs, assisting with training plans and helping to develop career pathways across the business.
• Oversee compensation and benefits processes, ensuring employees receive the correct pay and benefits in line with legislation and company policy.
• Prepare salary and benefits benchmarking reports for the executive team.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure the HR system is kept up to date, supporting effective reporting and payroll processes.
• Produce HR reports, KPIs and management information for the senior leadership team.
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, alongside health and safety responsibilities.
• Liaise with employee representatives and trade unions where required, including matters relating to pay, terms and conditions and redundancy.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, systems and the overall effectiveness of the HR function.

About You

We are looking for an experienced HR professional who is confident operating in a broad generalist capacity and able to provide practical, commercially focused HR advice across all levels of the business in a standalone role.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a similar standalone HR Manager or senior generalist HR role within the manufacturing sector.
• A recognised professional HR qualification, ideally CIPD qualified.
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation.

This is a fully office based role, and will travel between the two offices based in Derbyshire and Leicester

On offer

• Salary DOE - 45K - 55K
• 25 days holiday

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to take ownership of a varied generalist HR role, making a real contribution to the business through effective people management, employee engagement and continuous improvement of HR processes.