HR Manager
Location:
Head Office – Brandon, Suffolk (with monthly travel to other sites)
Organisation Size:
160 employees across two sites and three offices
Role Purpose
The HR Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s people strategy. As a member of the Core Leadership Team, this position combines strategic influence with hands-on leadership, ensuring the business continues to attract, retain, and develop top talent. The HR Manager will drive initiatives that support growth, strengthen culture, and maintain compliance, while providing effective partnership to stakeholders across all functions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Contribute to overall business strategy as part of the CLT.
Partner with Directors and senior managers to deliver people-focused initiatives aligned with growth and operational goals.
Attend monthly management and quarterly operational meetings, engaging with managers across all departments to align HR priorities with business needs.
Talent Acquisition & Retention
Lead recruitment activity across multiple sites.
Design and implement retention strategies to reduce turnover and improve workforce stability.
Learning & Development
Establish a structured programme to build skills, support career progression, and strengthen leadership capability.
Drive succession planning to create a strong internal talent pipeline.
Culture & Engagement
Champion a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven culture across all sites.
Develop and deliver engagement and wellbeing initiatives that boost motivation and commitment.
Operational HR
Maintain high standards of compliance, policies, and best practice.
Oversee employee relations, including disciplinary and grievance management, providing guidance and support to managers.
Provide oversight to part-time administrative HR support.
Collaborate with Finance on HR-related queries linked to payroll, pensions, and expenses (note: payroll is not directly managed in this role).
Policy & Compliance
Develop, review, and communicate HR policies aligned with UK employment law.
Promote Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) across the workforce.
Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations.
Work closely with Health & Safety teams to maintain alignment on workforce safety standards.
Site Support
Based at Brandon HQ with regular travel to Lound and Retford.
Support operational managers with workforce planning, training, and HR-related priorities.
Candidate Profile
Essential:
Strong track record in previous HR positions, including proven experience at the management/senior advisory level, ideally in manufacturing, engineering, or construction.
CIPD Level 5 minimum; Level 7 or Chartered membership (MCIPD/FCIPD) preferred.
In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR compliance.
Strong track record in recruitment, retention, and workforce development.
Experience handling employee relations, including dispute resolution.
Willingness to travel monthly to other sites.
Desirable:
Experience leading cultural change, employee engagement, or transformation initiatives.
Influential leader with credibility across all levels of an organisation.
Practical and proactive approach, balancing strategy with hands-on delivery.
Awareness of Health & Safety legislation in a manufacturing context.
Why This Role?
This is a senior leadership opportunity within a growing and ambitious organisation. As HR Manager, you will shape the people strategy, support cultural development, and build organisational capability across multiple sites. Your work will directly influence performance, engagement, and long-term success.
Benefits & Rewards:
Competitive salary and benefits package
Company pension scheme
Car allowance
Private healthcare
Professional development support (including CIPD membership and qualification funding)
Clear career progression in line with company growth
The opportunity to lead HR strategy during a period of expansion, including the launch of the UK’s first fully automated carousel plant in November 2025