The Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for an accomplished HR Manager to join the Company. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead and deliver a comprehensive, commercially focused HR service across the business. Operating as a key member of the senior leadership team, you will partner with leaders to drive organisational performance, employee engagement, and a positive workplace culture.
You will take full ownership of the HR function within a small manufacturing environment of approximately 50 employees, supported by an HR Administrator. This role requires a hands-on, pragmatic approach combined with strategic insight to support business growth and operational excellence.
The Company
Pym & Wildsmith (Metal Finishers) Ltd has over 40 years’ experience in providing high-quality finishes to UK industry. Our Headquarters are based in Bramshall, Staffordshire. Our extensive facilities include powder coating, wet spray, EPD, shot blasting and pre-treatments as well as an experienced technical department.
As an employee owned Company, our people and customers are at the heart of what we do, and we are committed to investment in order to improve growth, whilst acknowledging and understanding the environmental factors and making it a better future for everyone.
Role & Responsibilities:
Strategic & Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team on all people-related matters
- Contribute to business strategy by aligning HR initiatives with organisational goals
- Lead on workforce planning, organisational development, and change management initiatives
Employee Relations
- Manage complex employee relations matters including absence, disciplinaries, grievances, and capability issues
- Provide expert guidance to managers, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant decision-making
- Promote best practice and proactively mitigate employee relations risks
Payroll & HR Administration Oversight
- Oversee the accurate and timely delivery of weekly and monthly payroll processes
- Ensure robust HR administration processes and data integrity across all systems
Engagement & Culture
- Measure and analyse employee engagement, identifying trends and implementing improvement initiatives
- Champion a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture
Performance Management
- Drive the performance management framework, coaching managers to effectively manage performance, capability, and development
- Support the development of high-performing teams through clear objectives and continuous feedback
Learning & Development
- Design and implement the learning and development strategy aligned to business needs
- Identify skills gaps and coordinate training initiatives, including managing external training providers
- Support career development and succession planning across the organisation
Recruitment & Talent Management
- Lead end-to-end recruitment activity, ensuring a positive candidate experience
- Develop and implement effective attraction, retention, and succession strategies
- Build talent pipelines to support current and future business needs
Reward & Benefits
- Provide guidance on compensation, benefits, and reward strategies
- Benchmark salaries and benefits to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity
Policies, Compliance & Governance
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve HR policies, procedures, and processes
- Ensure full compliance with current employment legislation and best practice
- Keep leadership and managers informed and trained on policy updates and legal changes
Data Protection & Confidentiality
- Ensure compliance with data protection legislation, including GDPR and the Data Protection Act
- Maintain confidentiality and integrity of all employee data
What you’ll need to succeed
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Demonstrable experience managing a full range of employee relations cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance)
- Solid understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Proven experience in a standalone or senior generalist HR role
- Experience of advising and coaching managers at all levels
- Experience of managing end-to-end recruitment processes
- Experience overseeing payroll processes and HR administration
- Experience developing and implementing HR policies and procedures
- Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with sound judgement
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
- Good analytical skills, with the ability to interpret HR data and identify trends
Hours: 36 hours per week Monday – Thursday 07:30-17:00 (4 day working week)
Salary: £40,000 per annum
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