Head of HR

Zachary Daniels Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing multi-site business in the UK is seeking an experienced HR & Payroll Manager to lead their people function across 15 sites. This senior role offers the opportunity to shape HR strategy, manage payroll processes, and enhance employee relations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and hands-on payroll expertise while being passionate about culture and compliance. Competitive salary of around £65,000 plus benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Solid experience leading HR across multi-site operations.
• Strong employee relations and TUPE knowledge.
• Hands-on payroll expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR and payroll across multiple sites.
• Line manage HR Administrator and Trainee HR Advisor.
• Enhance recruitment processes and relationships with agencies.

Skills

HR leadership across multi-site operations

Employee relations

TUPE knowledge

Payroll expertise

Influencing leadership

Team coaching

Tools

Sage Cloud 50

Job description

Overview

HR & Payroll Manager Automotive Multi-Site Business
We're working with a growing multi-site business who are looking for a HR & Payroll Manager to lead their people function across 15 sites and a headcount of around c475 colleagues. This is a hands-on, senior role where you'll have real impact on shaping the HR strategy, leading a small team, and ensuring smooth payroll delivery. Sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, you'll be a trusted voice on all things people, culture, and compliance.

The Role

As HR & Payroll Manager, you'll:

• Lead on all aspects of HR and payroll across multiple sites.
• Line manage and support the HR Administrator and Trainee HR Advisor.
• Own payroll input (Sage Cloud 50) and pension processing.
• Deliver and continuously improve HR processes, policies, contracts, and handbooks.
• Oversee employee relations, including investigations, disciplinaries and liaising with solicitors on complex cases.
• Lead on TUPE transfers, acquisitions, and organisational change projects.
• Champion wellbeing with welfare policies and EAP, and improve staff survey roll-out.
• Create and deliver induction and management development programmes.
• Partner with manufacturers on apprenticeships and support health & safety guidance.
• Enhance recruitment processes and relationships with agencies.

About You

We're looking for a senior HR professional who:

• Has solid experience leading HR across multi-site operations.
• Brings strong employee relations and TUPE knowledge.
• Has payroll expertise.
• Is confident influencing at leadership level, while still being hands-on.
• Enjoys building, coaching, and developing a team.
• Is solutions-focused, resilient, and passionate about making a positive impact on people and culture.

What's on Offer

• A senior role where you'll have autonomy and influence.
• The opportunity to make a real difference in a growing, people-focused business.
• A supportive leadership team that value HR as a key driver of success.
• Salary c 65,000 + Benefits