HR Business Partner in Kilmarnock

Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Working Pattern: Office Based

Salary: c. £40,000 + Benefits

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys being close to the business, building relationships from ground level up and making a real impact? We're working with a successful business in Ayrshire that is looking to appoint an HR Business Partner to support the next stage of its growth and development. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on HR generalist who enjoys variety, from day-to-day operational HR through to supporting wider people strategy, change, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is not a role where you'll sit behind a desk. You'll be visible across the business, partnering with managers, supporting employees, and helping create a positive, engaged, and high-performing workplace.

The Role:

• Provide a full generalist HR service across the organisation, working closely with operational teams and senior stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted HR partner to managers across the business.
• Support employee relations matters including absence, performance, disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Lead and support recruitment activity across the business, including workforce planning, attraction, selection, interviewing, and onboarding of new talent.
• Partner with hiring managers to understand current and future recruitment requirements, ensuring the business attracts, develops, and retains the right skills for future growth.
• Coach and develop managers to build strong leadership capability.
• Support talent development, succession planning, employee engagement, and retention initiatives.
• Drive HR projects aligned to future business change, development, and continuous improvement.
• Review and improve HR processes, policies, and ways of working.
• Support organisational development and embedding positive change across the business.
• Build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation, from the shop floor to senior leadership.

About You:

We're looking for a confident HR professional who enjoys a fast-paced, operational environment and can balance strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach. You will ideally bring:

• Strong HR generalist experience within a busy operational environment.
• Previous experience within engineering, manufacturing, industrial, or similar sectors (preferred).
• Experience managing recruitment processes and supporting hiring managers with attraction and selection.
• Confidence managing employee relations cases from start to finish.
• Experience working within a unionised environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice and employment legislation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach - someone who is happy to roll their sleeves up and make things happen.

The Opportunity:

This is a great time to join the business as it continues to evolve. You'll have the chance to shape the people agenda, support positive change, and play a key role in developing the workforce for the future. You'll join a business where HR is valued as a true partner, supporting both day-to-day operations and longer-term strategic goals. If you're an HR professional who likes being at the heart of the operation and wants a role where you can genuinely add value, we'd love to hear from you.