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Job Description:
HR Manager (m/f/x)
3M announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Bain Capital to form a new Joint Venture which will combine Scott Safety and Madison Fire and Rescue. 3M's deep expertise and track record in the safety industry combined with Bain Capital's capability to integrate businesses, accelerate growth and drive synergies make this an ideal partnership.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
The successful candidate may be employed by 3M prior to closing and the position is expected to transition to the Joint Venture following completion of the transaction. Role scope and timing are subject to business needs and successful transaction close.
For more information, please refer to the press release:
The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
As an HR Manager at our Skelmersdale manufacturing site, you will play a key role in driving a positive employee experience in a unionized environment. You will operate with a high degree of independence while partnering closely with leadership and a broader, globally distributed HR team.
You will:
1. Lead day-to-day HR operations and employee relations, serving as a trusted advisor on investigations, absence, grievances, and disciplinary matters
2. Partner with plant leadership and union representatives to maintain strong industrial relations and support business objectives
3. Coach and guide managers to build capability and confidence in handling people-related issues
4. Exercise sound judgment in assessing risk, resolving issues, and determining when to escalate or engage external counsel
5. Ensure compliance with UK employment law, policies, and collective agreements, driving continuous improvement in HR practices
6. Support organizational changes, including restructuring, shift changes, and redundancy processes
7. Oversee end-to-end recruitment for hourly and salaried roles, aligned to production and business needs
8. Partner with leadership on workforce planning and staffing forecasts based on operational demand
9. Support compensation processes, including union negotiations, merit planning, and market adjustments to remain competitive
10. Collaborate with payroll and external vendors to ensure consistent and compliant HR service delivery
Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, we are looking for candidates who meet following minimum requirements:
Required:
11. CIPD qualified
12. Proven HR experience with a strong focus on employee relations, ideally within a manufacturing or logistics environment
13. Experience working in a unionised environment
14. Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage sensitive matters with discretion
15. Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills
16. Proven ability to influence leaders and balance employee needs with business priorities
Additional knowledge / nice-to-have skills / preferred qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:
17. Experience working within a multinational, matrixed organisation
18. Degree in a relevant discipline
19. Proven ability to navigate change in complex and evolving environments
20. Strong communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages effectively to diverse audiences
Work Location: The position is located on-site at Skelmersdale.
Travel expectation: May include up to 5%
Working pattern - Full time
Resources for You
For more details on what happens before, during and after the interview process, check out the Insights for Candidates page at If you have further questions please reach out to Max (our AI Virtual Assistant) via our Career Page.