At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the people agenda and drive HR solutions across multiple sites.
- Company: Established manufacturing organisation with a century of heritage and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 26 days leave, and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with senior leadership and strategic HR initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact while developing towards a leadership role.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, strong employee relations knowledge, and excellent stakeholder management skills.
Your New Company
Hays HR is delighted to be supporting a highly successful and long-established manufacturing organisation in the appointment of a Senior HR Business Partner. With over a century of heritage, a UK workforce of approximately 500 employees and an established international presence, this organisation continues to achieve sustained growth year after year. Operating within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, the business is known for its commitment to quality, operational excellence and long-serving workforce. The HR function is embarking on an exciting period of development, making this an excellent opportunity for an ambitious HR professional seeking both challenge and progression.
Your New Role
Reporting directly to the Head of HR, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the people agenda across the business. This is a highly visible role requiring a commercially minded HR professional who can build credibility with stakeholders, influence decision-making and drive continuous improvement. Working across multiple sites (2/3), you will partner with managers and directors to deliver pragmatic HR solutions whilst ensuring the business remains compliant, effective and future-focused.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Acting as a trusted HR Business Partner to managers and leaders across the organisation.
- Managing complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management cases.
- Leading all aspects of recruitment and talent acquisition activity, including workforce planning.
- Driving process improvement initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the HR function.
- Developing, reviewing and enhancing HR policies and procedures to ensure best practice and legal compliance.
- Managing HR systems, processes and reporting, ensuring data integrity and meaningful people insights.
- Supporting the ongoing optimisation of recently implemented HR technology and identifying future system improvements.
- Managing and developing a Senior HR Administrator whilst leading improvements across the wider HR administration function.
- Supporting learning and development initiatives, apprenticeships and succession planning activities.
- Managing occupational health processes to maximise attendance, wellbeing and operational effectiveness.
- Working collaboratively with union representatives and key stakeholders across operational sites.
This role offers significant scope for progression and would suit an ambitious HR professional. The organisation is committed to succession planning and is seeking an individual with the capability and ambition to develop into a senior leadership role over the coming years.
What You'll Need to Succeed
- Proven HR Business Partner experience, in a generalist role.
- Strong employee relations knowledge and experience managing complex cases.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong HR systems and HRIS capability, with a keen interest in maximising the value of technology and people data.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with HR metrics.
- The confidence to challenge appropriately and influence at all levels.
- A proactive, resilient and collaborative approach.
- Experience working within operational, engineering or manufacturing environments (desirable).
- Experience working in a unionised environment (desirable).
The organisation is seeking someone who can build credibility quickly, work confidently with experienced managers and help evolve existing practices while respecting an established culture and way of working.
What You'll Get in Return
- Salary of £46,500 plus £2,500 car allowance
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme
- Genuine career progression opportunities within a growing international business
- Exposure to senior leadership and strategic HR initiatives.
What You Need to Do Now
If you're an ambitious HR professional looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact whilst developing towards a future leadership position, apply now or contact Hays HR for a confidential discussion. Please note: A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as the role requires regular travel between 2 sites in North Manchester and very occasional travel further afield.
Senior HR Business Partner in Manchester employer: Hays HR
Join a premium retail organisation that values innovation and growth, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly shape the future of talent acquisition. With generous pay and benefits, alongside long-term development opportunities, this role is perfect for those eager to build impactful recruitment strategies in a luxury retail setting. Experience a culture that prioritises professional excellence and inclusivity, ensuring every candidate interaction reflects the high standards of the brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner in Manchester
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Hays HR!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Hays HR.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Hays HR. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Hays HR and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Hays HR. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Hays HR's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays HR
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Hays HR.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Hays HR will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Hays HR and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
