Regional HR Manager in Stoke-on-Trent

Are you an experienced Regional HR Manager with a passion for delivering expert support and guidance across diverse, multi-country environments? Do you thrive on enabling managers and employees to perform at their best while ensuring full compliance with employment legislation across the UK and continental Europe?

The Role

• Provide expert HR advice and guidance on employment matters to managers across the business.
• Ensure HR policies and practices in continental Europe align with local legislation and collective agreements.
• Lead HR compliance, maintaining accurate records, GDPR standards, and audit-ready processes.
• Oversee and manage end-to-end recruitment, from workforce planning through to onboarding.
• Drive direct sourcing strategies to reduce reliance on agencies and improve hiring efficiency.
• Support and coach managers on performance management, absence trends, and employee relations issues.
• Advise and participate in disciplinary, grievance and performance meetings.
• Manage HR systems and data, producing reports, KPIs, and workforce insights to inform decision-making.
• Identify and deliver training and development initiatives, including succession planning and competency management.
• Lead employee health and wellbeing processes, including occupational health and case management.
• Promote employee engagement, equality and a positive workplace culture across all locations.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders while continuously improving HR processes, policies and ways of working.

The Candidate

• Chartered CIPD (or working towards).
• Proven HR experience within a multi-site, manufacturing, engineering, or rail environment.
• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law, with exposure to European legislation (desirable).
• Demonstrable experience managing recruitment in a fast-paced setting.
• Proficient in HR systems (HRIS/HCM) with strong data handling and reporting capability, including advanced Excel skills.
• Confident advising managers on a wide range of employee relations matters in a complex environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• A proactive, detail-oriented team player with a hands-on approach and strong work ethic.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across sites; additional European language skills (e.g. German or Dutch) advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + company bonus.
• Tailored training and development, including company-funded external qualifications where relevant.
• Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution.
• Life assurance at 3.5× your salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support.
• Discounted gym membership – up to 25% off at 4,000+ UK gyms.
• Fuel card savings of 2–3p per litre at 3,500 stations, including BP, Esso and Shell.
• Employee recognition schemes celebrating great work.
• 33 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of bank/public holidays).

About Progress Rail – Electro-Motive Diesel

Progress Rail – Electro-Motive Diesel is a subsidiary of Caterpillar, specialised in manufacturing, maintaining and overhauling diesel-electric locomotives across the world. For more than half a century, Electro-Motive Diesel has hauled freight and passengers, powered ships, and generated electricity for over 100 countries around the globe. Becoming a part of Electro-Motive Diesel means becoming a part of a challenging and bright future in our global marketplace.

Progress Rail Values

• Safety – Care, Learn, Prevent.
• Integrity – Do the Right Thing.
• Teamwork – Win Together.
• Excellence – Be the Best.
• Commitment – Own the Outcome.

Equal Opportunities

Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We value and embrace diversity of thought, background and unique experiences and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workforce and culture.