People & Employee Relations Advisor
People & Employee Relations Advisor

People & Employee Relations Advisor

Full-Time 32000 - 36000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Imerys

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support HR and Employee Relations across multiple sites in a dynamic, unionised environment.
  • Company: Join Imerys, a global leader in sustainable operations.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and comprehensive health benefits.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options available after probation; strong career growth potential.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative team while shaping workplace culture.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HR and Employee Relations within unionised settings is essential.

The predicted salary is between 32000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.

Imerys is recruiting two People & Employee Relations Advisors to join the UK HR function, supporting operational sites across a complex, unionised environment. This is a practical, site-focused role, suited to HR professionals with strong Employee Relations experience within industrial or safety‑critical organisations.

The People & Employee Relations Advisor provides hands‑on HR and ER support across multiple UK sites. Working closely with managers, site leadership, employees and union representatives, the role is key to ensuring people practices are applied consistently, fairly and in line with UK employment law. You will be a visible and approachable HR presence, supporting day‑to‑day people matters while ensuring HR processes are delivered accurately and effectively within a demanding operational setting.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver end‑to‑end HR operational support across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, contracts, changes to terms and conditions and leavers.
  • Manage and support Employee Relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance and conduct matters.
  • Lead and support investigations and formal processes, ensuring procedural compliance and accurate documentation.
  • Provide practical advice and guidance to managers on policies, procedures and ER matters within a unionised environment.
  • Maintain accurate HR records, ER case logs and people data within Workday and associated tracking tools.
  • Support payroll processes through timely and accurate submission of people data.
  • Build strong working relationships with managers, supervisors and employees across multiple operational sites.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of HR and ER processes, documentation and ways of working.
  • Provide on‑site HR support and engagement, adapting to operational priorities.

About You

This role will suit someone who is detail‑focused, practical and confident working within a unionised, operational environment.

  • Proven experience working in a unionised organisation.
  • Hands‑on experience supporting and managing Employee Relations processes.
  • Working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
  • Experience within complex, industrial or safety‑critical environments such as mining, manufacturing, rail or similar.
  • Understanding of operational realities, including shift patterns, site‑based pay structures and allowances.
  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage workload independently.
  • Process‑driven but pragmatic approach, with examples of improving HR or ER processes.
  • Experience using HR systems, with Workday preferred, and confidence working with data, including Google Sheets.
  • High attention to detail and clear, professional communication skills.

Qualifications

  • CIPD Level 3 or Level 5 qualification, or working towards.
  • Additional Employee Relations or employment law‑focused training is desirable.

Team and Working Environment

You will join a collaborative team of People & Employee Relations Advisors, sharing workload across People Operations and ER activity. Regular engagement with operational sites is essential, and the role requires a team‑focused approach. On‑site presence is required, particularly during the probation period. Hybrid working may be considered after this period, at the company's discretion.

Salary and Benefits

  • Salary range ÂŁ32,000-ÂŁ36,000.
  • 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Generous pension plan with employee contributions of 3%-6% and employer contributions of 6%-9%.
  • Group life assurance.
  • Income protection.
  • Private medical insurance.
  • Generous company sick pay scheme.
  • Enhanced family‑friendly policies.
  • Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Employee discount portal.

Why Join Imerys

Imerys is a global organisation focused on responsible, sustainable operations. You will be part of a business where environmental performance is central to decision‑making, and where your expertise will directly shape how our sites operate. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

People & Employee Relations Advisor employer: Imerys

Imerys is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth within a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Located in the picturesque St Austell, Cornwall, we offer competitive salaries, generous benefits including a robust pension plan, private medical insurance, and a commitment to sustainable operations, making it a rewarding place for HR professionals to thrive in a dynamic, multi-site environment.
Imerys

Contact Detail:

Imerys Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land People & Employee Relations Advisor

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Imerys on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in a People & Employee Relations Advisor.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on UK employment law and Employee Relations processes. We want to show that we’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically in a unionised environment.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice our responses to common HR scenarios. Think about how we would handle disciplinary cases or grievances. This will help us demonstrate our hands-on experience during the interview.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our CV and cover letter to highlight our relevant experience directly related to the role.

We think you need these skills to ace People & Employee Relations Advisor

Employee Relations
HR Operational Support
UK Employment Law
Unionised Environment Experience
Investigation and Compliance
HR Systems Knowledge (Workday preferred)
Data Management (including Google Sheets)
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Process Improvement
Pragmatic Approach
Onboarding and Offboarding Processes
Performance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the People & Employee Relations Advisor role. Highlight your experience in HR and Employee Relations, especially in unionised environments. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the position and our company.

Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase any hands-on experience you've had with Employee Relations processes. We’re particularly interested in your ability to manage cases and provide practical advice in a complex environment.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Imerys

✨Know Your Employment Law

Brush up on UK employment law, especially as it relates to employee relations in a unionised environment. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied this knowledge in past roles, as it’s crucial for the People & Employee Relations Advisor position.

✨Showcase Your ER Experience

Prepare specific examples of your hands-on experience with employee relations processes. Think about cases you've managed, how you ensured compliance, and any improvements you implemented. This will demonstrate your practical skills and understanding of the role.

✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders

Since this role involves working closely with managers, employees, and union representatives, think about how you can build strong relationships. Be ready to share strategies you’ve used in the past to engage effectively with diverse groups.

✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills

This position requires managing multiple HR processes simultaneously. Prepare to discuss how you prioritise tasks and maintain accuracy under pressure. Examples of how you’ve improved HR processes or documentation will also be beneficial.

People & Employee Relations Advisor
Imerys

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