Head Of HR

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

Job summary

A growing multi-site business in Reading seeks an HR & Payroll Manager to lead HR functions across 15 sites with a headcount of around 475 colleagues. This senior role offers autonomy, focusing on shaping HR strategy and ensuring smooth payroll delivery. Candidates should have solid HR leadership experience, strong employee relations knowledge, and payroll expertise, with a competitive salary of around £65,000 plus benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Autonomy in role

Supportive leadership team

Qualifications

• Experience leading HR across multiple sites.
• Strong employee relations and TUPE knowledge.
• Hands-on approach with leadership influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR and payroll across multiple locations.
• Manage HR Administrator and Trainee HR Advisor.
• Oversee employee relations and TUPE transfers.
• Deliver and improve HR policies and contracts.

Skills

Multi-site HR leadership

Employee relations

Payroll expertise

Team development

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

• 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