People and Culture Manager in Alton

Location: Hampshire (Office-based with flexibility as required)

Salary: £50,000- £60,000

Build the future of people and culture in a business that's growing fast. Our client is an innovative manufacturer of hand protection solutions, recognised for its market-leading brand. Following the recent acquisition of another business, the business has grown to around 46 employees, with ambitious plans for continued expansion through both organic growth and future acquisitions. They are now looking for an experienced People and Culture Manager to partner with their CEO and leadership team, helping shape the next chapter of their people strategy.

This isn't a traditional HR role. We're looking for someone who enjoys building capability, developing high-performing teams, embracing technology and creating a culture where people are supported to succeed while being held accountable for delivering results.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to inherit an established role with a structured handover before taking ownership of the function. Initially, you'll play a key role in successfully embedding their recent acquisition and supporting organisational change. From there, you'll lead the development of a modern, scalable HR function that supports an ambitious, growing business. You'll be trusted to influence senior leaders, coach managers, improve performance, modernise HR processes through AI and Dynamics 365, and ensure HR becomes a genuine commercial partner to the business.

What You'll Be Doing

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team on all people-related strategy.
• Build a high-performance culture where managers confidently lead, coach and develop their teams.
• Design and embed an effective performance management framework that drives accountability and productivity.
• Support managers in handling employee relations matters fairly and confidently.
• Lead the people aspects of acquisitions, integration projects and organisational change.
• Take ownership of recruitment, onboarding and employer branding to attract exceptional talent.
• Coach and develop line managers, enabling them to take ownership of people management.
• Oversee HR operations, policies, compliance and HR systems.
• Drive continuous improvement by reducing administration through AI, automation and Dynamics 365.

Requirements

You'll be an experienced HR professional who enjoys working in a hands-on environment where no two days are the same. You'll combine warmth and approachability with the confidence to challenge constructively, influence senior stakeholders and make difficult decisions when required. We're looking for someone who has:

• Experience in a broad generalist HR role.
• Experience leading performance management and driving accountability.
• A strong commercial mindset and the ability to think strategically while remaining hands-on.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring or business integration.
• Excellent coaching and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence to work independently while partnering closely with senior leadership.
• A genuine passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
• Experience with HR systems such as BambooHR, Dynamics 365, AI-enabled HR processes or a manufacturing or industrial environment would be advantageous.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or above would also be advantageous.

Benefits

• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
• Company-wide bonus scheme
• Employer pension contribution of 4%
• 21 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays, birthday leave, and a charity day
• Death in service benefit
• Sick pay allowance (5 paid days per year)
• Specsavers eye test + £50 glasses voucher
• Strong investment in training and long-term development
• Monthly staff lunch provided
• Free parking & EV charging available