Group HR Advisor

Hands‑on Group HR Adviser role offering varied HR work across a busy, multi‑site environment in Dorset.

Are you an experienced HR professional looking to take the next step in a hands‑on, varied, and people‑centric role? A long‑established UK manufacturing and distribution group known for its strong market presence, multi‑site operations, and commitment to employee wellbeing is seeking a Group HR Adviser to join its HR function. Working closely with the Group Head of HR, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring consistent HR practice across multiple sites while supporting managers and employees throughout the full employee lifecycle.

About the Role

As Group HR Adviser, you will act as a trusted partner across the business, providing clear, pragmatic, and professional HR support. This is a fast‑paced and rewarding role suited to someone who enjoys variety, autonomy, and building strong working relationships. You will be involved in everything from employee relations and recruitment to onboarding, HR systems, benefits administration, and wider people projects.

• Provide day‑to‑day HR administration and operational support across the group.
• Manage a broad range of employee relations casework, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, retirement, and redundancies.
• Lead and support the recruitment process—drafting job descriptions, preparing interview questions, coordinating interviews, and providing feedback.
• Oversee the administration of employment contracts, new starter documentation, and formal HR letters, ensuring full legal compliance.
• Coordinate onboarding, including issuing pre‑employment paperwork and delivering employee inductions.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle, including offboarding processes.
• Maintain and update the HRIS, ensuring accurate employee data and producing reports when needed.
• Administer a range of company benefit schemes, ensuring records remain up to date.
• Monitor probation periods and support managers in applying the probation policy consistently.
• Advise on all areas of sickness and statutory absence, tracking leave and ensuring compliance.
• Support HR projects and contribute to improving people processes and aligning HR with business strategy.
• Provide accurate, timely information to payroll.
• Support the organisation of internal social events.
• Undertake additional ad hoc duties as required.

What We’re Looking For

• Professionalism: A confident HR practitioner who demonstrates competence, credibility, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong Communication & Emotional Intelligence: You’ll be engaging with people at all levels—so empathy, integrity, confidentiality, and the ability to build strong relationships are essential.
• Trust & Confidentiality: You’ll be a trusted HR contact across the group, handling sensitive matters with discretion and a calm, pragmatic approach.
• Accountability: A proactive individual who takes ownership of tasks, delivers high‑quality work, and communicates clearly.
• Organisation & Time Management: This is a busy, varied role—so efficiency, prioritisation, and the ability to remain composed under pressure are key.
• Industry & HR Expertise: A solid understanding of UK employment law, HR best practice, and experience managing employee relations cases.
• Commercial Acumen: Someone who can offer practical, solution‑focused advice and improve processes without cutting corners.

Why Join?

• A stable, well‑established business with a strong presence in a specialist manufacturing and distribution sector.
• Multi‑site HR exposure and scope to influence ongoing improvements.
• A friendly and supportive HR team where your ideas and initiative will be valued.
• A role with real variety, impact, and opportunities to develop.