At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive People & Culture initiatives and influence organisational culture across Northern Europe.
- Company: Join Valmet, a leader in delivering innovative technologies and solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible work arrangements, local benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee engagement and organisational change.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in People & Culture, strong knowledge of local labour laws.
- Other info: Collaborative, mission-driven team with an inspiring international environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Are you an HR professional who combines strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with strategic thinking to drive People & Culture initiatives? Join a role where you act as the primary People & Culture representative, guiding leaders and influencing organizational culture across Northern Europe. As HR Manager, you will partner with leaders, unions, and authorities, ensuring compliant and modern People & Culture operations. Youβll lead initiatives that strengthen engagement, support transformation, and enhance local market practices.
This position's primary location is Darwen. Warrington, Haslingden, Gloucester may be considered as additional locations.
Responsibilities- Partner with leaders to drive organizational change, wellbeing, culture, and employee engagement for designated countries and business areas, acting as local ambassador.
- Lead People & Culture guidance for local market practices on talent attraction and Employee Value Proposition.
- Collaborate on benefit and process harmonization across countries.
- Develop and implement P&C policies compliant with local legislation.
- Ensure communication, training, and compliance monitoring across the organization.
- Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on people management, change management, performance, and development, by fostering a culture of empowerment and accountability across the workforce.
- Act as primary liaison for labor relations, unions, and authorities, ensuring compliance and effective negotiation.
- Oversee, benchmark and co-develop with Rewards & Recognition the offering of local employee benefits, including health insurance, pensions, and other statutory or voluntary programs.
- Support the offboarding process by ensuring compliance with local regulations, and coordinating/analyzing final documentation.
- Bachelor's or Masterβs degree in HR, Law, or a related field.
- Bring 5+ years of People & Culture experience, preferably in international environments.
- Strong knowledge of local labor laws and HR compliance.
- Experience in labor relations and policy implementation.
- Communicate fluently in English; northern languages knowledge is an asset.
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Strategic thinking with operational execution ability.
- High integrity and ethical standards.
- Excellent communication and coaching capabilities.
- Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office.
- Service-oriented mindset and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in HR practices, processes, and systems with an understanding of labor laws, collective agreements, and practices, preferably in manufacturing and industrial settings, including white- and blue-collar workforce regulations.
- Proven ability to build a network of working relationships at various levels, both internally and externally.
- Demonstrate business acumen in providing insights/analysis to best support business decisions.
- Possess relevant IT skills and a keen interest in the digitalization of HR processes and tasks.
- Take accountability β Act with ownership, set clear expectations, and follow through.
- Lead with courage β Champion change, try bold ideas, and learn quickly.
- Build on trust β Listen to understand, be open, and create psychological safety.
- Collaborate for growth β Work across boundaries, value diverse perspectives, and focus on customer value.
We offer an inspiring and international environment, modern tools, local benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and development, including flexible work arrangements. Interested? Send your application with your CV in English via the link provided by 8 February 2026.
HR Manager, People Operations, Northern Europe in Warrington employer: Valmet
Contact Detail:
Valmet Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land HR Manager, People Operations, Northern Europe in Warrington
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Valmet or similar companies on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the HR Manager role. Personal connections can give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Valmet's culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission-driven approach. We want to see you demonstrate your strategic thinking and interpersonal skills during the chat!
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex situations, especially in labour relations. This will highlight your ability to act as a primary liaison, just like the role requires.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youβre serious about joining our team and contributing to the People & Culture initiatives across Northern Europe.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager, People Operations, Northern Europe in Warrington
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the HR Manager role. Highlight your People & Culture experience, especially in international settings, and donβt forget to mention your knowledge of local labour laws!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your strategic thinking and interpersonal skills. Explain how you can drive engagement and culture initiatives, and why youβre excited about joining our team at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead change and enhance employee engagement. Numbers and examples speak volumes, so donβt hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We canβt wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valmet
β¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local labour laws and HR compliance before the interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a people person, but also someone who understands the legal landscape of HR in Northern Europe.
β¨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've driven People & Culture initiatives in the past. Think about specific situations where your strategic thinking led to positive outcomes, especially in organisational change or employee engagement. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and act decisively.
β¨Practice Your Negotiation Skills
Since this role involves liaising with unions and authorities, be ready to discuss your negotiation experiences. Prepare a few scenarios where you successfully navigated complex discussions, highlighting your interpersonal skills and ability to build trust.
β¨Emphasise Collaboration
This position requires working closely with various teams and leaders. Be prepared to talk about how you've collaborated across departments in previous roles. Share specific examples that illustrate your service-oriented mindset and problem-solving skills, as well as how you value diverse perspectives.