HR Manager (Group Operations) in Chester

A well-established, well-respected manufacturing group that currently employs c145 people across four sites, is looking for an experienced, grounded HR Manager, ideally from a manufacturing/product delivery environment. At a significant point in its evolution, you will be happy to roll your sleeves up and look after the people function in its entirety across the business as a whole, site by site. It is a standalone role so being self-sufficient and self-motivated is a must if you are to deliver what is needed and expected. You will be based in the Chester area, attending one of the four sites on a daily basis and managing your own diary. Its a business that has been around long enough to know what good looks like, and cares enough to keep raising the bar. The culture is collaborative and non-hierarchical. People are trusted to get on with the job, treated with respect, and supported. Each site is a close-knit team that takes pride in its work, and the business takes pride in its people.

As the HR Manager you will...

• Take full ownership of HR operations across all sites, covering contracts, policies, employee records, compliance, and the ongoing transition to the BambooHR portal.
• Manage the complete ER caseload independently, including disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, and absence across a mixed workforce that includes a Unite-recognised site.
• Support site consolidation and restructuring activity with sound employment law knowledge and the appropriate level of discretion.
• Drive SMART objective-setting across the group and own the annual performance review cycle.
• Implement and embed the group community programme, which includes engagement surveys, Town Halls, Site Champions, long service recognition, Annual Awards, the Group Family Day, and the Employee Voice Forum.
• Be the first point of contact for all ER matters and help develop line managers to handle day-to-day people issues with confidence.
• Coordinate the group youth employment programme across all sites.

The successful HR Manager will...

• Hold CIPD Level 5 as a minimum; Level 7 preferred.
• Have solid, hands-on HR experience in a multi-site SME manufacturing, logistics, or operational environment.
• Bring a strong track record of managing ER caseload independently and to ET level if necessary.
• Be flexible, adaptable and can think on their feet when required.
• Want to take genuine ownership of the people function across the business, shaping it as it needs to be for a growing business.
• Have practical experience of working with HRIS systems; knowledge of BambooHR is an advantage.
• Have the confidence and communication skills to operate at all levels, from the boardroom to the shop floor, and to be taken seriously at both.
• Bring with them a straightforward communication style and the ability to give clear, practical advice without overcomplicating it.
• Ideally have had some exposure to unionised environments, though not essential.

So, if you have a track record of success as an HR Manager and you are looking for the opportunity to build and manage a coherent people function with a company at a pivotal point in its growth, and where what you do truly matters, we need to have a conversation!