Senior HR Manager Location: Onsite – Wednesbury Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 benefits Sector: Manufacturing Overview We are seeking a commercially minded and experienced Senior HR Manager to lead the HR function at our busy manufacturing site in Wednesbury. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role, responsible for developing and delivering the people strategy, managing a small HR team, and partnering with senior leadership to drive business success through exceptional people management. Key Responsibilities Strategic HR Leadership Shape and implement the site’s HR strategy in alignment with wider business objectives and workforce plans. Serve as a senior business partner to functional heads and site leadership, advising on organisational design, cultural development, and performance improvement. Ensure HR practices contribute to operational excellence, employee engagement, and talent retention. Team Leadership & Capability Building Lead, develop, and coach a small HR team to deliver consistent, high-quality support across the employee lifecycle. Build a proactive, solution-oriented HR culture that supports line managers and enhances the employee experience. HR Policy, Compliance & ER Oversee the creation, implementation, and communication of HR policies and procedures in line with employment law and industry standards. Manage complex employee relations matters including disciplinaries, grievances, and restructures with a pragmatic, legally sound approach. Talent Strategy & Workforce Planning Drive site-wide talent and succession planning in collaboration with department heads. Implement development programmes and career pathways to build internal capability and future leadership. Lead workforce planning efforts to align headcount, skills, and structure with operational needs. Recruitment & Employer Branding Oversee recruitment activities for skilled and operational roles, ensuring an efficient, inclusive process. Position the site as an employer of choice in the manufacturing sector through targeted attraction and retention strategies. L&D and Organisational Development Lead the site’s learning and development agenda, ensuring mandatory, technical, and leadership training is delivered effectively. Promote a continuous learning culture and support managers with coaching and capability development. HR Projects & Transformation Deliver key HR projects, including systems upgrades, process improvements, and change initiatives. Identify and embed best practices in HR operations and employee engagement. Reporting & Analytics Produce and present key HR metrics and insights to drive data-informed decisions. Monitor KPIs across turnover, absence, ER, and engagement to inform business priorities. Experience & Qualifications CIPD Level 7 qualified (or working towards) 8–10 years HR experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role Strong track record in a manufacturing, industrial, or unionised environment Experienced in leading ER casework, team management, and HR strategy implementation Solid understanding of UK employment legislation and its application in practice Competence in using HRIS systems and Microsoft Office tools (especially Excel and PowerPoint) Key Competencies Strategic and commercial thinking Inspirational leadership and team development Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills Change management capability Resilience, adaptability, and a hands-on attitude Analytical and data-driven approach to HR decision-making