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, and wellness support.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and a collaborative team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ 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 programs 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.
Retail Support Centre - HR - Crewe employer: Ryman
Contact Detail:
Ryman Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Support Centre - HR - Crewe
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Ryman's values, culture, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common HR scenarios. Think about how you'd handle complex ER matters or coach managers. Being ready to share your experiences will make you stand out as a confident candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Support Centre - HR - Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your HR expertise, especially in Employee Relations, and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to handle complex situations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in HR and how you’ve built strong relationships with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a confident communicator, it's essential to demonstrate this in your application. Use clear and concise language, and make sure your documents are well-structured and free from errors. This will show us you can provide practical guidance effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ryman
✨Know Your ER Basics
Make sure you brush up on the fundamentals of Employee Relations. Understand key concepts like disciplinaries, grievances, and performance management. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're ready to take ownership of a fast-paced caseload.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've coached managers in the past. Think about specific situations where your guidance led to positive outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to empower others and build strong relationships, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be Ready to Influence
Think about times when you've had to influence senior stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your approach and the results. This will highlight your ability to constructively challenge and ensure fair outcomes, which is key in a multi-site retail environment.
✨Stay Current with Employment Law
Familiarise yourself with the latest employment law updates and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in real scenarios. This shows that you’re proactive and committed to delivering legally compliant solutions.