HR Manager

Company: Nigel Wright Group
Apply for the HR Manager
Location: Exeter
Job Description:

HR MANAGER

Are you an experienced HR leader who thrives in fast-paced, operational environments? Do you enjoy being a visible, hands-on partner to senior stakeholders while shaping culture, driving performance, and enabling change?

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious manufacturer and play a pivotal role in leading the people strategy.

THE ROLE;

As HR Manager, you will be a key member of the site leadership team, partnering with the General Manager and wider team to deliver a full HR remit. You’ll provide operational and strategic HR leadership across:

  • Employee relations and trade union engagement
  • Culture, engagement, and change initiatives
  • Workforce planning, recruitment, and retention
  • Training, development, and organisational capability
  • HR governance, compliance, and audit requirements
  • Site leadership influence and contribution to P&L discussions

You will lead and develop an on-site HR team, modernising HR practices, strengthening team capability, and driving cultural transformation.

Site based.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR;

Essential experience:

  • Proven HR leadership within manufacturing or similar high‑volume, fast‑paced sectors (e.g., logistics, retail, FMCG)
  • Strong background in employee relations and trade union negotiation
  • Experience working within audit-heavy, compliance-driven environments
  • Ability to influence senior leaders and operate confidently as part of a site leadership team
  • Experience managing diverse workforces
  • Comfortable delivering both strategic and hands-on HR in an operational setting

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

  • Resilient, pragmatic, and solutions-focused
  • Confident, collaborative, and not afraid to challenge or shape direction
  • Able to navigate complexity and maintain momentum in demanding environments

NIGEL WRIGHT HR;

If you’re an HR leader who enjoys pace, challenge, and the ability to make a genuine difference within UK manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Sue O’Donovan for more information.

Posted: April 5th, 2026