Head of Human Resources

Are you an accomplished HR generalist with a solid track record in manufacturing and great change management skills? Based at our Norwich manufacturing site, you will manage a small team and report to the Finance Director. You will have responsibility for initiating and enabling change, whilst also ensuring that the business demonstrates best practice in all aspects of HR. The key measures of your success will be your ability to provide credible, up to date guidance to senior colleagues; to manage the HR team effectively; and to contribute to the strategic development of the business from an HR perspective. If you prefer to be hands-on, but to also play a key role in shaping the business, you will thrive here. You will need to be commercially aware and on top of what is happening both in the factory and in senior leadership strategic discussions. We are keen to appoint a candidate who has a successful track record of implementing change and in being a highly respected advisor for your SMT colleagues. This is a great chance to make your mark in an established and growing business - we are keen to talk to candidates who are already Level 7 CIPD qualified or those that are well on their way to achieving this.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Main Purpose of Role: The Head of Human Resources will hold the overall responsibility for the leadership and management of the HR function. This will include the development and implementation of HR policies, processes, and systems to ensure a consistent and effective approach to people management across the MSI-DSL business. The Head of HR is a hands-on role and will oversee all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance with UK employment legislation and regulatory standards. In addition to day-to-day operations, the Head of HR plays a key strategic role in supporting senior leadership to shape organisational culture, drive employee engagement, and deliver the long-term people strategy aligned with the overall business objectives.

The primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and frameworks in line with organisational priorities and current legislation
• Providing strategic HR advice and guidance to the senior management team, contributing to organisational planning, decision-making, and delivery of business objectives
• Providing leadership on talent acquisition, ensuring recruitment policies, practices, and processes are fit for purpose and consistently applied
• Managing employee relations matters, including disciplinary and grievance processes, in line with employment law and internal procedures
• Ensuring the organisation complies with all relevant UK employment legislation and HR-related regulatory requirements
• Leading the development and implementation of performance management processes that promote accountability, capability development, and continuous improvement
• Driving employee engagement initiatives and contribute to the development of an inclusive and values-driven organisational culture
• Overseeing learning and development activity, including leadership development, succession planning, and mandatory training
• Ensuring effective HR data management and reporting to support business insight, compliance, and informed decision-making
• Managing, leading and developing a HR team ensuring appropriate delegation, supervision, and professional development
• Acting as the lead contact for external HR partners, legal advisers, or regulators where necessary
• Contributing to organisational change and transformation programmes from a people and culture perspective
• Partnering with senior leaders to lead and deliver strategic HR projects aligned with business priorities and people strategy
• Any other such duties that may be reasonably compatible within the nature and scope of the role

ABOUT THE PERSON REQUIRED

DESIRABLE Qualifications/Education/ Training: CIPD Level 7 or a Bachelors/ Master’s degree in Human Resource Management or Employment law or equivalent experience. Chartered Fellow (FCIPD) status.

Technical Skills/ Experience: Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role, with responsibility for both strategic planning and operational delivery. Experience in managing, leading and developing a team of HR professionals. Strong knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice, and regulatory compliance requirements. Proven track record in advising and supporting senior leadership teams on complex HR and organisational matters. Demonstrable experience managing employee relations issues, including disciplinaries, grievances, and change management processes. Skilled in developing and implementing HR policies, performance management frameworks, and staff engagement initiatives. Proficient in the use of managing and implementing HR systems, data analysis tools, and reporting to inform evidence-based decision-making. International HR experience to support other divisions of MSI-DSL.

Personal Attributes/ Specification: Operates with integrity, discretion, and sound professional judgement. Strategic and solutions-focused, with a pragmatic approach to complex issues. Resilient and calm under pressure, able to manage competing priorities. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels. Committed to inclusion, collaboration, and high performance.

Compliance: Must meet our Security clearance criteria (BPSS level).