HR Manager - Manufacturing

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER - HRBP / HR Manager

This is a fantastic opportunity for a progressive HR professional to join an established, global leader in specialist engineering. Operating on behalf of our client, we are seeking a strategic yet hands‑on Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to build and elevate the HR function across two rapidly evolving group companies.

Based at an established engineering facility in Gateshead, this is a newly created, autonomous position reporting directly to the General Manager (EMEA). You will act as the local people expert for the Gateshead site (~100 employees) while fully supporting a newly acquired, specialist engineering business located in Rugby (~30 employees). This role sits on the local leadership team, actively influencing business growth and organisational change, while collaborating with a wider global matrix corporate structure. It offers a culture defined by trust, accountability, and true operational independence.

NB: It’s anticipated the successful candidate would visit the Rugby site around 2 days a week, twice a month. A company vehicle will be provided when required for this purpose and/or other expensed travel as necessary. Likewise any overnight accommodation and related expenses will be covered by the company.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner closely with senior leaders and the General Manager to provide commercial HR insights that advance organisational capability, workforce effectiveness, and strategic business growth.
• Develop and drive a robust talent acquisition and retention strategy; implement workforce planning and succession‑planning methodologies to build a sustainable internal talent pipeline.
• Advise, coach, and support department heads and managers on leadership behaviours, competencies, performance enablement, and reducing "time to competence" for their teams.
• Lead and manage structural change initiatives—including potential reorganisations, restructures, or integration programmes—ensuring smooth transitions while maintaining employee morale.
• Manage complex employee relations issues autonomously, conducting disciplinary and grievance hearings up to and including dismissals in strict accordance with UK legislation and company policy.
• Create and deliver targeted internal HR training sessions for staff and management, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous learning.
• Maintain master data for key HR metrics and people analytics. Formulate comprehensive management reports and data trends for presentation at monthly/quarterly management meetings and local Board meetings.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end employee lifecycle from contract variations, reference verification, and Right to Work (RTW) compliance, through to exit interviews and trend tracking. Ensure payroll‑related data is cleanly processed on schedule.
• Utilise employee feedback workshops and branding initiatives to champion a positive workplace culture focused on diversity, inclusion, belonging, and employee wellbeing.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

• Fully CIPD Qualified (or equivalent HR‑focused degree / professional attainment).
• Established background as an HR Business Partner or a Senior HR Advisor ready for a strategic step‑up, ideally within a fast‑paced specialist engineering, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• Comprehensive, up‑to‑date knowledge of UK employment law and regulatory best practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with proven resilience and the confidence to navigate demanding stakeholder groups and resolve complex ER cases independently.
• Strong logical thinking skills with the ability to translate people metrics into commercial business outcomes for leadership and Board review.

DESIRABLE

• Direct experience supporting or managing HR integration following a business acquisition or organisational merger.
• Experience operating within a large, global matrix organisation with remote reporting lines.
• Track record of utilising digital workflows, modern HRIS, or smart tools to eliminate administrative bottlenecks and streamline reporting.

LOGISTICS

• Full UK Driving Licence and the right to work in the UK.
• Mobility: Absolute willingness and ability to undertake regular on‑site travel to the secondary business unit in the Midlands (Rugby area).

Details of Package

£45,000 to £55,000 (Depending on Experience) + Bonus + Competitive Benefits.

Hours of work: 39 hours per week, Mon‑Thurs (phone number removed)pm Fri (phone number removed)pm, there will be some flexibility by agreement.

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