Description
We are seeking an experienced, commercially focused HR Manager to join our Cement business, supporting the Tunstead Cement Plant, Commercial and Supply Chain & Logistics Central operations.
This is a high-profile HR leadership position where you will work closely with operational and senior leaders, providing trusted advice and expert support across a broad range of people matters.
You will play a key role in shaping and delivering the people strategy, supporting organisational change, developing workforce plans and ensuring our people practices contribute to both business performance and employee engagement.
Working alongside a wider national HR team, you will have the opportunity to influence business decisions, promote best practice and help build an inclusive, engaged and high-performing culture across a diverse, unionised workforce.
This role would suit a confident and commercially minded HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced industrial environment and is motivated by making a genuine difference to both people and business performance.
Key Responsibilities
- As HR Manager, you will provide a proactive, commercially focused HR service, balancing day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term strategic priorities.
- Your responsibilities will include:
- Partnering with senior leaders and management teams to provide expert advice, constructive challenge and practical support on a wide range of people issues.
- Managing complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability cases, while ensuring appropriate risk management and positive outcomes.
- Developing strong working relationships with Trade Union representatives and supporting local employee and industrial relations activity, including annual pay negotiations.
- Leading and supporting organisational change programmes, including restructures, reorganisations and redundancy processes, ensuring effective consultation and compliance with employment legislation.
- Coaching and developing managers to strengthen leadership capability, improve accountability and create a high-performance culture.
- Supporting workforce planning, succession planning and talent development to ensure the organisation has the skills and capability it needs for the future.
- Overseeing recruitment, onboarding, early careers and educational engagement activity across the relevant business areas.
- Working with leaders to identify learning and development requirements and support employee career progression.
- Using HR data, reporting and insights to identify trends, inform business decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Collaborating with colleagues across the wider HR function to deliver consistent people practices, share knowledge and support wider business initiatives.
About You
- We are looking for an accomplished HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with the confidence to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships at all levels.
- You will ideally have:
- Significant generalist HR experience within a manufacturing, industrial, engineering or similarly operational environment.
- Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases and organisational change programmes.
- Experience working within a unionised environment and building effective relationships with Trade Union representatives.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application within a business environment.
- Experience coaching, influencing and advising leaders across different levels of an organisation.
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a business-related discipline, alongside CIPD Level 5 qualification or demonstrable progress towards it.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust quickly.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance people considerations with operational and business priorities.
- Confidence when making difficult decisions, managing competing priorities and working effectively under pressure.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn HR data into meaningful insights and practical actions.
- Above all, you will be someone who builds strong relationships, embraces challenge and drives positive change.
- You will be passionate about creating a workplace where people are supported to perform, develop and succeed, while contributing to the wider success of the business.
What We Offer
- We believe in investing in our people and providing opportunities to build a rewarding and long-term career.
- As part of the wider benefits package, you will have access to:
- Annual bonus scheme.
- Enhanced holiday entitlement.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Employee benefits and discount platform, offering savings across a range of retailers, holidays and services.
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential support.
- Access to a range of employee networks and communities, promoting inclusion, wellbeing and belonging across the organisation.
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
- Opportunities for career progression and continued professional development.
Conclusion
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to take a key leadership role within a major industrial operation, influence the people agenda and make a lasting contribution to both the workforce and the wider business.