Human Resources and Payroll Specialist in Telford

Department: HR

Reports to: Assistant Senior Manager

Location: Telford, Shropshire, United Kingdom

About us: Epson Telford Limited was established in 1987, we are on a 50-acre site and operate a 24/7 manufacturing site. We are the only European manufacturing and distribution site for ink cartridges and textile inks. These products are shipped to an Epson warehouse in Germany where they are then distributed throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Quality and innovation are at the heart of everything we do, from our Cleanroom environment to our in‑house machinery, design and technology improvements from which we use our own Epson 6‑axis robots.

Shift: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm

Role overview: Reporting to the Assistant Senior Manager, the HR & Payroll Senior Specialist is responsible for leading, developing and continuously improving the organisation's Human Resources and Payroll functions. The role provides strategic direction, governance and oversight across all aspects of people management, employee relations, workforce planning, organisational development, payroll compliance and employee engagement.

Main job functions:

• Lead and develop the HR and Payroll functions, ensuring the delivery of effective, compliant and customer‑focused services.
• Provide strategic HR advice and guidance to senior management on workforce and organisational matters.
• Develop and implement people strategies that support business objectives, growth and succession planning.
• Oversee employee relations activity, ensuring consistent application of employment legislation, company policy and best practice.
• Maintain overall accountability for payroll governance, compliance and service delivery whilst delegating operational payroll activities to the Payroll Co‑ordinator.
• Lead organisational development, employee engagement and talent management initiatives.
• Direct and coordinate HR policies, procedures, systems and continuous improvement projects.
• Monitor workforce metrics and key performance indicators to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Ensuring adherence to ISO14001, ISO9001 and ISO45001 standards.
• Lead, manage and develop the HR and Payroll team, setting objectives, monitoring performance and supporting professional development.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management, redundancy and organisational change cases.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior managers on employment law, organisational risk and people management matters.
• Develop and implement HR and payroll strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Ensure HR and payroll policies, procedures and practices remain legally compliant and reflect best practice.
• Oversee payroll governance, controls and compliance, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery through the Payroll Co‑ordinator.
• Review payroll and HR performance metrics, audit findings and compliance reports, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning and talent management activities.
• Drive employee engagement, culture, wellbeing and retention initiatives across the business.
• Lead organisational change projects including restructures.

Skills required:

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to develop high‑performing teams.
• Ability to influence and challenge at senior management level.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of business operations.
• Extensive knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Ability to interpret people data and provide strategic recommendations.
• Experience leading organisational change and business improvement initiatives.
• Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making and risk‑management skills.
• Ability to balance operational priorities with strategic objectives.

Qualifications required:

• Desirable – Advanced employment law – ACEL, ILM Level 5.
• Significant experience in a senior HR generalist or HR lead role within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Experience advising senior management on strategic people matters.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations and compliance.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies, procedures and people strategies.
• Experience supporting employment tribunal preparation and defence.
• Experience implementing or improving HRIS and payroll systems.
• Experience managing HR and payroll budgets.