At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage Employee Relations cases and guide managers through complex HR matters.
- Company: Join Ryman, a dynamic retail leader with over 130 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous holiday allowance, wellness support, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team that values growth, ideas, and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: HR experience in retail, strong communication skills, and a proactive approach.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a confident and commercially minded HR professional to join our team, taking ownership of a fast‑paced Employee Relations caseload across a dynamic, multi‑site retail environment. You’ll be the go‑to expert for managers, guiding them through complex ER matters, coaching them to build capability, and driving fair, consistent outcomes across the business. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll balance legal expertise with practical solutions, influence senior stakeholders, and proactively identify trends to shape future HR initiatives. If you thrive on building strong relationships, tackling challenges head‑on, and making a real impact, this is the role for you.
WHAT WILL YOU BE RESPONSIBLE FOR?
- Managing a high‑volume Employee Relations caseload, including disciplinaries, grievances, performance/capability and redundancy cases
- Acting as the go‑to ER expert, guiding managers through the full process from investigation through to outcome and appeal
- Resolving workplace issues early through proactive mediation and informal conflict resolution
- Identifying risk and delivering commercially focused, legally compliant solutions
- Coaching and empowering managers to confidently handle performance and difficult conversations
- Influencing and constructively challenging senior stakeholders to ensure fair and consistent outcomes
- Producing clear, professional and legally robust documentation, including investigation reports and outcome letters
- Maintaining accurate, detailed case records to ensure a strong audit trail and compliance
- Keeping up to date with employment law and ensuring policies reflect current best practice
- Analysing ER trends and data to identify patterns and drive proactive interventions and training
- Building strong, effective relationships with stakeholders across the business
- Supporting and developing line manager capability across stores, field teams, and head office functions
- Leading and contributing to HR initiatives that add value and support business objectives
- Using absence and attrition data to inform decisions and drive improvements
- Ensuring employee data and administration are handled accurately and in line with GDPR
- Championing company values and helping to build a positive, high‑performing culture
WHAT WOULD WE LIKE TO SEE IN YOU?
- A confident and credible HR professional, able to build strong relationships across stores, departments, and functions
- Adaptable and pragmatic, with the confidence to challenge constructively based on sound judgement and employment law
- Strong HR experience in a fast‑paced, customer‑facing environment (multi‑site retail preferred)
- A natural coach who can support and empower managers to make the right decisions first time
- Clear and confident communicator, able to provide concise, practical guidance
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities
- Hands‑on and proactive, with a “get stuck in” approach
- Energetic and enthusiastic, while remaining calm, focused, and professional under pressure
- A collaborative team player who shares knowledge and contributes to a joined‑up HR approach
- Comfortable influencing and constructively challenging stakeholders at all levels
- A role model for company values and behaviours
WHAT WILL WE OFFER YOU?
- A passionate, dynamic team where your growth, ideas, and impact matter
- A competitive pay package
- Company pension scheme with the option to enhance
- Generous holiday allowance including an extra wellbeing day that gives you time to recharge
- Training programme to help you excel in your role
- Opportunities through our apprenticeship programmes to keep building on your skills
- Access to mental health first aiders, wellness sessions, and support groups
- Exclusive discounts across all of our brands and through our benefits hub
- Cycle2Work scheme
- Long service and recognition awards
- Colleague referral scheme
- Company and team social events
- Free on‑site parking
- Subsidised canteen
WHO ARE WE?
Founded by Henry J Ryman in 1893, Ryman has been the go‑to destination for stationery, office supplies, printing, technology, and more for over 130 years. We are part of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which also includes Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue, and London Graphic Centre. From our very first store on Great Portland Street, we have grown to over 200 locations and a thriving website and app offering quality products and exceptional service. We believe in supporting our colleagues and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to grow, thrive, and have fun whilst doing it. At Ryman, all of our teams from our stores to our warehouse and Retail Support Centre are passionate about retail. We put our customers first and have a common goal to keep them at the heart of everything we do. We are energetic and enthusiastic, delivering results through resilience, innovation, and adaptability. If you are a team player who’s ready to make an impact, this could be the perfect role for you. Ryman is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate differences, encourage everyone to join us, and be themselves at work.
PLEASE NOTE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT OTHER DUTIES AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.
ER Advisor in Crewe employer: Ryman
At Ryman, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture where your growth and ideas truly matter. With a competitive pay package, generous holiday allowance, and a commitment to employee wellbeing through mental health support and training programmes, we empower our team members to thrive in a dynamic retail environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying exclusive discounts and opportunities for professional development across our multi-site operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ER Advisor in Crewe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to current employees at Ryman through LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common ER scenarios and think about how you would handle them. Be ready to share your experiences and demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Remember, it’s all about showing how you can make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your coaching skills! During interviews, highlight times when you've empowered managers or resolved conflicts. This role is all about guiding others, so make sure they see you as a natural leader who can drive positive outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Ryman team. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace ER Advisor in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your HR Expertise:Make sure to highlight your HR experience, especially in a fast-paced retail environment. We want to see how you've tackled Employee Relations issues before and how you can bring that knowledge to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your skills.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the ER Advisor role. Show us how your skills align with what we’re looking for, and why you’d be a great fit for our dynamic team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Ryman!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ryman
✨Know Your ER Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Employee Relations knowledge before the interview. Understand the key processes like disciplinaries, grievances, and performance management. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're the go-to expert they need.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've coached managers in the past. Think about specific situations where you empowered them to handle difficult conversations or resolve conflicts. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and support others effectively.
✨Be Ready to Influence
Think about times when you've had to influence senior stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your approach and how you constructively challenged decisions to ensure fair outcomes. This will highlight your confidence and credibility as an HR professional.
✨Stay Current with Employment Law
Familiarise yourself with the latest employment law updates and best practices. Being able to discuss how you keep up-to-date and apply this knowledge in your role will show that you're proactive and committed to delivering legally compliant solutions.
