HR Manager

HR Manager Permanent 55,000 Kirkby Stephen

Hays HR is delighted to be supporting a well-established, family-owned international business in the search for an experienced HR Manager. Operating across manufacturing, distribution and customer service environments, this organisation has built a strong reputation within its sector and prides itself on maintaining a collaborative, down-to-earth culture where people genuinely matter.

This is a standalone HR leadership role, offering significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape people practices while remaining close to the day-to-day operation. Reporting directly to the Operations Director and sitting as part of the Leadership Team, you will be the trusted HR advisor to managers and directors across the business. The role also supports a small operation outside the Northwest, with travel required occasionally.

The Role

As HR Manager, you will combine operational delivery with strategic HR involvement. You will lead all aspects of the employee life cycle while providing pragmatic advice and guidance to managers across the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing employee relations matters ranging from routine issues through to complex disciplinary, grievance and dismissal cases.
• Providing coaching and HR advice to managers on employment legislation, policies and best practice.
• Leading recruitment activity for management and specialist roles.
• Reviewing and developing HR policies, procedures and employment documentation.
• Managing payroll sign-off, pensions administration and employee benefits.
• Supporting organisational projects including contract reviews, policy updates and people-related change initiatives.
• Leading annual pay review and budgeting activities relating to HR.
• Overseeing HR compliance, GDPR requirements and employment law obligations.
• Managing and developing a part-time HR & Training Assistant.
• Acting as a key member of the Leadership Team, contributing to wider business decisions and people strategy.

About You

We are keen to speak with experienced HR professionals who enjoy operating in a hands-on, autonomous environment.
You will ideally have:

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above).
• Experience operating in a senior HR Generalist, HR Manager or HR Business Partner capacity.
• Strong employee relations knowledge with the confidence to support complex casework.
• Payroll and pensions experience, including payroll sign-off responsibilities.
• Up-to-date employment law knowledge.
• The ability to build strong working relationships with managers across all levels.
• Experience working within manufacturing, distribution, logistics, engineering or similar operational environments would be advantageous.
• ADP payroll system experience would be desirable.

The Person

• Pragmatic and commercially minded.
• Emotionally intelligent and approachable.
• Comfortable rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in day-to-day HR activities.
• A team player who values collaboration over hierarchy.
• Practical, organised and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Someone with a good sense of humour and a common-sense approach to problem-solving.

This role would suit an individual who enjoys building relationships, making a visible impact and working within a business where culture genuinely matters.

Benefits

• Salary of 50,000 - 55,000.
• Private healthcare.
• Group income protection.
• Death in service cover.
• Enhanced pension scheme with employer matching contributions up to 10%.
• Health cash plan.
• 21 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Hybrid working is available after probation. (One day from home).
• Additional wellbeing and active travel benefits.

What you need to do now:

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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