At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape employee experiences and drive HR initiatives in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Wernick Group, Britain's largest independent manufacturer of portable accommodation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive culture with excellent career growth and a focus on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee relations and contribute to a growing family business.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent HR experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Description
Step into a pivotal
HR Advisor role at Wernick Group, Britain's largest independent manufacturer of portable and modular accommodation.
This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the employee experience across our diverse operations, supporting approximately 1,000 colleagues.
About the Role
As a key member of our HR department, you will drive the full employee lifecycle, ensuring the consistent application of employment law, company policies, and HR best practices within our dynamic commercial environment.
We're seeking a confident HR generalist with robust employee relations expertise, someone who thrives on variety, autonomy, and making a tangible difference.
Join our successful, growing family business where HR is central to operational success.
You'll find a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact both our people and the wider business, offering significant scope for professional growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Employee Relations
- Provide advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and performance management issues.
- Support investigations, hearings and meetings, ensuring policies and procedures are applied fairly and consistently.
- Assist with the resolution of employee issues while minimising business risk and ensuring legal compliance.
- Support complex cases and liaise with external advisers where required.
- Onboarding
- Draft and issue offer letters, contracts of employment and onboarding documentation.
- Conduct remote and in-person inductions where required.
- Absence Management & Wellbeing
- Monitor absence levels and trends, producing reports and recommendations as required.
- Support managers with return-to-work interviews and absence management processes.
- Administer maternity, paternity, adoption and other family-friendly policies.
- Promote employee wellbeing initiatives and best practice.
- Policy Development & Compliance
- Draft, review and update HR policies, procedures and employee guidance documents.
- Interpret changes in employment legislation and recommend policy and procedural improvements.
- Ensure employee records are maintained accurately and confidentially in line with GDPR requirements.
- Support the business in maintaining compliance with current employment legislation and HR best practice.
- Payroll & HR Administration
- Liaise with the Payroll Manager to ensure accurate monthly payroll inputs.
- Provide HR data and reports to support business decision-making.
- Assist with statutory reporting requirements and HR audits.
- Maintain accurate HR systems and personnel records.
- Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Support the implementation of HR initiatives and projects across the Group.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, documentation and employee experience.
- Contribute to continuous improvement activities within the HR function.
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent professional HR experience.
Experience
- Proven experience in a generalist HR role.
- Experience managing a wide range of employee relations cases.
- Experience supporting the full employee lifecycle.
- Experience drafting, reviewing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience working in a fast‑paced commercial environment.
Skills & Knowledge
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with managers and employees at all levels.
- Highly IT literate, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
- Personal Attributes
- Professional, approachable and resilient.
- Practical and solutions focused.
- High levels of integrity and discretion.
- Strong judgement and ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
- Self‑motivated with a proactive approach to work.
Desirable
- Experience working in a standalone HR role or within a small HR team.
- Experience supporting multi‑site operations.
- Experience of Employment Tribunal preparation and case management.
- Experience supporting settlement agreements.
- Experience within the construction, manufacturing, engineering or related sectors.
- Previous experience working within a growing business environment.
- Your Future with the Wernick Group
- Competitive salary and bonus scheme
- Generous holiday allowance (rising with service)
- Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year and spread the cost
- Option to sell or carry over up to 5 days holiday
- Christmas Shutdown
- Early finish Friday
- Group pension scheme
- Annual salary review – takes place each January
- Long service awards
- Employee of the Month awards
- Customer service awards
- Life Assurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Free onsite parking
- Employee assistance programme
- Training and progression opportunities
- Family run and well established, secure company (trading over 90 years)
- Open door policy
- Employee referral scheme
- Benefits scheme (discounted retailers such as money off Apple, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Currys, Argos, Tesco and restaurants including Harvester, Miller and Carter, Nandos and many more)
- Corporate Eyecare Scheme through Specsavers
- Ideas portal (message the CEO) and awards for implemented suggestions
- Cycle to work scheme
- Annual paid volunteering day
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We thank you in advance for your interest in this role and our company.
If you require any reasonable adjustments for your interview, please advise our recruitment team as soon as possible.
- Closing Date
- Friday 31st July, 2026
- Contract Type
- Fulltime
- Salary
- Based on Experience
- Notice
This vacancy is subject to close earlier than the stated closing date dependent on application numbers.
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HR Advisor in Wickford employer: Wernick Group Limited
Wernick Group Limited is an excellent employer for those seeking a dynamic role as an On-Call Generator Field Service Engineer. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company offers ongoing training opportunities and a competitive salary, all within a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and customer satisfaction. Located in a vibrant area, employees enjoy a generous holiday allowance and the chance to work with cutting-edge equipment, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor in Wickford
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Wernick Group Limited!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Wernick Group Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor in Wickford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Wernick Group Limited. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Wernick Group Limited and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Wernick Group Limited. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Wernick Group Limited's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wernick Group Limited
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Wernick Group Limited.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Wernick Group Limited will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Wernick Group Limited and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
