HR Manager, Up to £60,000 Premium Company Car | Based near Carlisle About our client ECM is a long-standing leader in vehicle delivery and logistics, now proudly part of the Constellation Automotive Group—the UK’s largest vertically integrated automotive business. With over 30 years’ experience, ECM operates a modern fleet of nearly 500 car transporters, delivers over one million vehicles annually, and employs 765 people. The Opportunity This is a rare, hands-on and highly operational HR Manager role, ideal for someone ready to step up and take the reins. The outgoing HR Manager (placed by Foxgroves Recruitment just 12 months ago) has made a tremendous impact, modernising processes, tackling complex absence cases, updating policies, and kicking off a major HR system project launching in 2026. With excellent union and shop steward relationships in place, you’ll be set up for success and supported by a capable HR Assistant. Who Might Thrive Here? You’re currently an HR Advisor or HR Lead, working pretty autonomously and ready for your next step into management. Or, perhaps you’re a standalone HR Manager in a smaller business, looking for a bigger challenge and the support of a small team. Maybe you are super experienced and looking for a local hands on role in Cumbria where you can ready add value You want a role where you’re “in the thick of it”—handling day-to-day HR, employee relations, and process improvement, not sitting back in a purely strategic role. What You’ll Do (with the support of your HR Assistant) Manage the full HR lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and compliance Oversee sickness absence, wellbeing, and complex ER/capability cases Maintain and update HR policies and the employee handbook Chair disciplinary, grievance, and union meetings, building on strong existing relationships Support TUPE, redundancy, and change processes Oversee uniform/PPE provision and stock management Play a key role in the HR system implementation project (launching 2026) to help streamline HR admin Provide practical, approachable HR advice to managers and staff at all levels What You’ll Bring Experience in operational HR, ideally in a fast-paced or multi-site environment CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) preferred but not essential Solid knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance Confident communicator, able to build trust and credibility at all levels Organised, discreet, and proactive - ready to roll up your sleeves and get things done Full UK driving licence (typically once a month travel to Grimsby (North Yorkshire so overnight stay optional) or North Shields What’s On Offer Salary up to £55,000 (DOE) Premium company car (luxury hybrid, fully expensed) 20 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 25 with service NEST pension scheme The chance to shape HR operations and lead a key system project Location & Travel Full time site based (non negotiable due to the nature of the business) at ECM’s Carlisle HQ (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm) The Team & Culture You’ll join a small, mighty HR team making a big impact. ECM is built on teamwork, open communication, and continuous improvement, offering real scope for you to develop your operational HR skills. Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and is committed to fair, inclusive, and non-discriminatory recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including reference and eligibility checks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to support applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support, please let us know.