Deputy HR Manager

H.R. Smith (Technical Developments) Limited; Hereford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Hereford seeks a Deputy HR Manager to oversee HR operations and manage absence-related cases. With strong interpersonal skills and experience in a senior HR role, you will lead recruitment and support employee wellbeing initiatives. The position offers a structured work week and various employee benefits, including 20 days holiday and company bonuses.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Casual dress

20 days holiday plus bank holidays

Life Insurance Scheme – 3x annual salary

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing absence-related casework.
• 3–5 years of HR experience, with at least 1–2 years in a senior HR role.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to prepare clear reports.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of day-to-day HR operations and services.
• Act as first point of contact for HR queries and provide advice.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes.

Skills

Managing absence-related casework

Understanding UK employment law

Supervising administrative staff

Interpersonal skills

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Degree in HR or relevant discipline

Job description

DEPUTY HR MANAGER – ROTHERWAS, HEREFORD

Key Responsibilities:
•Support the delivery of day-to-day HR operations across the Group to ensure smooth and compliant HR services.
•Act as the first point of contact for routine HR queries, providing advice and escalating complex matters to the HR Manager as needed.
•Maintain and regularly update HR policies, the staff handbook, and employment contracts, ensuring compliance with current legislation.
•Assist with delivering employee relations training to line managers and monitor mandatory training completion, following up on any gaps.
•Take ownership of absence management, including monitoring absence data, supporting managers with return-to-work interviews, and advising on both short and long-term absence cases.
•Provide hands-on support with employee relations casework, including investigations and documentation for absence, disciplinary, grievance, and performance matters.
•Maintain accurate absence records, dashboards, and reports; identify patterns and ensure timely action.
•Review and approve contracts of employment, offer letters, and letters of variation in the HR Manager’s absence.
•Conduct appraisals and performance reviews for junior administrative and support staff as required.
•Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes, including posting adverts, screening candidates, conducting interviews, and managing candidate progression.
•Coordinate leaver processes, including conducting exit interviews and ensuring documentation and systems are updated.
•Supervise administrative support teams, including staff handling company fleet vehicles, reception, and facilities.
•Oversee sickness records, and timesheet monitoring for relevant employees.
•Support third-line payroll checks, including validation of P32s, pay variances, and absence-related payments.
•Assist with quality control of employee records, HR documentation, and spreadsheets to ensure accuracy and compliance.
•Support DBS checks, right to work verifications, visa sponsorship, and compliance with UKVI requirements as a secondary Authorising Officer.
•Conduct internal audits of HR records and processes to ensure compliance with GDPR and employment law.
•Take accurate minutes during formal HR meetings and manage case file documentation.
•Liaise with Accounts on fleet insurance claims, ensuring timely and accurate information is provided.
•Promote employee wellbeing, engagement, and health initiatives in partnership with senior management and the HR Manager.
•Assist with ad hoc HR projects, operational improvements, and other HR-related administrative duties as requested.

Job Requirements:
•Proven experience managing absence-related casework.
•Sound understanding of UK employment law and best practice relating to attendance, absence, disciplinary and grievance matters.
•3–5 years of HR experience, with at least 1–2 years in a senior HR officer or supervisory role.
•Confidence in giving first-line advice to managers, with the judgement to escalate appropriately.
•Excellent attention to detail and the ability to interpret absence trends and prepare clear, useful reports.
•Experience supervising administrative or HR support staff.
•Able to prioritise a high-volume, task-focused workload while maintaining accuracy.
•Strong interpersonal skills with a patient, pragmatic, and professional approach to working with employees, managers and stakeholders.
•Comfortable working in a traditional structure, supporting (not challenging) the organisation’s values and operational processes.
•Discreet and respectful in handling confidential matters.

Qualifications (one or more of the following):
•CIPD Level 5 or above (or working towards)
•ILM/CMI Level 5+ Management qualification
•Degree in HR or relevant discipline

Benefits:
•Free onsite parking.
•Free refreshments (tea and coffee).
•Casual dress.
•Company social events.
•Opportunity for company bonuses.
•Cost of living reviews carried out annually by the Directors.
•20 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off (to be taken any time in the year).
•Long service holiday accrual scheme where you gain 1 extra holiday day per year from 5-10 years’ service up to a maximum of 26 days.
•Life Insurance Scheme – 3x annual salary.

We have a positive, professional and welcoming environment; you will have the opportunity to work within a fully integrated multidisciplinary business. We offer good job security and stability with career development opportunities for the right candidate.

•Full time position.
•Hours are based on a 40-hour week, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm with half an hour each day for lunch. No weekend, evening or bank holiday working.
•Salary commensurate with experience.
•Free internal training provided as required.
•Opportunities to progress, promote internally and up skill.
•Due to the nature of the business being a manufacturing environment, working from home arrangements are not available.