Head of HR

Rheinmetall; Telford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rheinmetall Defence UK Limited, based in Telford with occasional travel to Bristol, seeks a Head of HR to lead the people strategy and provide operational HR leadership across the organisation. Reporting to the HR Director, you will develop the HR team and ensure high-quality service delivery.

The role requires influencing senior stakeholders, line managers and trade unions, ensuring compliance with employment law, and driving workforce planning, policy design and data‑driven decision making in

Qualifications

• Minimum CIPD Level 5 or equivalent.
• Extensive HR experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and best practices.
• Experience handling multi-site HR operations and union relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR Operational Team and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Drive HR processes, policies, and compliance across sites.
• Oversee policy design, review, and legal alignment.
• Lead complex employee relations in a unionised manufacturing context.
• Develop relationships with Trade Union representatives and facilitate dialogue.
• Support negotiations and collective agreements in line with policy and law.
• Assist managers and HR partners with performance improvement plans.
• Oversee salary benchmarking and workforce analytics to inform reward decisions.
• Utilise HR metrics to guide planning and identify trends.
• Ensure HR systems, data, and reporting support strategic analysis.
• Drive wellbeing, EDI and STEM initiatives.

Skills

HR leadership

Manufacturing experience

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Change management

People management

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

Ref.-Nr.: UK00841Schedule type: Full TimeContract Type: Permanent Full-TimeWHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORJob title: Head of HRLocation: Telford, with occasional travel to BristolReporting to: HR DirectorContract: 40 hrs, Perm/Full TimeAbout the CompanyRheinmetall Defence UK Limited (RDUK) was established in 2009 to strengthen its presence in the UK defence market, delivering advanced solutions to enhance the capabilities of the UK's armed forces. RDUK leads the BOXER Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme and is partnered on the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. With a growing workforce, RDUK reflects Rheinmetall's global success in the UK market.About the RoleWe are seeking an experienced and proactive Head of HR to lead the delivery of our people strategy and provide operational HR leadership across the organisation.Reporting directly to HR Director, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading and developing HR team, ensuring the effective delivery of HR services, and driving people initiatives that support organisational performance and business objectives.The role will ensure that the HR Operational team and processes run efficiently, that employees are well-supported through business practices, processes and initiatives, and that the business remains compliant with all employment regulations.They will be a credible and influential leader who can build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, line managers, and trade union representatives.Position Responsibilities:Lead, develop, and manage the HR Operational Team, setting clear priorities and ensuring high-quality service delivery across all HR activitiesDrive consistency, accuracy, and continuous improvement in HR operationsOverseeing the design, implementation, and periodic review of HR policies to ensure they remain legally compliant, up-to-date, and aligned with best practiceLeading on complex employee relations cases within a unionised manufacturing environmentBuild and maintain effective working relationship with Trade Union representatives, ensuring open communication and constructive dialogSupport with negotiations, consultations, and collective agreements in line with company policy and legal requirementsSupport managers and HR Business Partners in managing performance issues and implementing improvement plansOverseeing salary benchmarking activities and conduct workforce analysis to support equitable, competitive, and evidence-based reward decisionsDrive effective and data driven workforce and headcount planningUtilising HR metrics, management information, and data analysis to inform decision-making, identify trends, and recommend improvementsEnsure HR systems, data and reporting processes are robust, accurate and support strategic analysis and planning.Continuously assess market trends, look at recruitment and retention trends and ensure that the benefits and reward strategies are implemented across the business.Ensure HR Business Partners are aligned with business priorities and objectivesSupport HR initiatives such as wellbeing, EDI and STEMWHAT QUALIFICATIONS YOU SHOULD HAVEMinimum CIPD Level 5 or equivalentSignificant HR Experience within a manufacturing environmentStrong Operational HR background with a hand-on approachIn-depth knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practicesExperience in managing multi-site, blue collar workforce.Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skillsAbility to operate effectively in a fast paced, high demand environmentStrong, pragmatic and influential leadershipWHAT WE OFFER YOURheinmetall strives to be an employer of choice and to foster a culture in which our employees are supported to build a career they can be proud.Through our contracts to deliver world-class products and support services, we offer great opportunities for personal development and career advancement via specialist technical roles, essential support functions, and broader leadership positions.In addition, Rheinmetall offer:Competitive salaries reviewed each year against market ratesAnnual bonus incentive schemeEmployer pension contributions up to 8%Hybrid and flexible workingLife assurance cover5 weeks holiday plus bank holidaysHoliday purchase schemeHealth cash planSalary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work and electric vehicles schemesAccess to high street and gym discounts and cashbackEnhanced maternity and paternity benefitsCONTACT INFORMATIONContact Person: Iwona Kurpiewska