HR Advisor

Oliver Valves Group; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Valves Group in Knutsford seeks an HR Advisor to provide practical, day-to-day support to managers and employees across UK operations. You will partner with the HR Manager to resolve people matters and keep HR processes running smoothly.

The role covers the full employee lifecycle, recruitment, onboarding, absence, performance, payroll liaison, and data maintenance in line with GDPR. Experience in manufacturing or engineering and proficiency with HR systems and Excel are beneficial.

Qualifications

• Strong generalist HR experience and ability to handle sensitive matters.
• Relevant degree or CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Experience in manufacturing or engineering is advantageous.
• Familiarity with HR systems and data management, plus Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical day-to-day HR advice to managers and employees across UK operations.
• Lead full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, absence, performance, and offboarding; escalate complex cases.
• Ensure GDPR-compliant HR data accuracy across systems and partner with payroll as needed.
• Monitor HR metrics, drive improvements, and support group-wide HR initiatives.

Skills

Generalist HR experience

Recruitment experience

Data handling

HR data management

Excel

Education

Degree or CIPD Level 5

Tools

HR systems

Job description

HR Advisor

We're looking for an HR Advisor to provide practical, day-to-day support to managers and employees across our UK operations. You'll work closely with the HR Manager, helping to resolve people matters, keep HR processes running smoothly and improve the employee experience.

The role supports over 300 employees, primarily based in Knutsford, with a small number in Dundee. It offers a broad mix of hands-on generalist work and opportunities to contribute to wider HR projects.

About Us

We are a family-owned global company that produces ultra critical valves for the world's oil, gas and hydrogen industries, where exceptional quality and on time delivery is critical.

With operations spanning the UK, USA, Dubai, Malaysia and India, and a world-class Research & Development centre in Knutsford, we have ambitious plans to grow beyond our £100m turnover.

Our business model is to sub-contract our components, then assemble at our facilities in Knutsford and Chennai. Our culture is agile, entrepreneurial and decisive. There are no layers of bureaucracy, endless committees or slow-moving approval processes. We value common sense, accountability and action.

The Role

Working closely with the HR Manager you will support the HR function within the following areas:

• Act as a trusted HR advisor, providing clear, practical advice across all generalist HR matters, and ensuring timely resolution of day-to-day people issues.

• Lead the full employee lifecycle for your assigned workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, absence management, performance, and offboarding, escalating complex matters where necessary.

• Oversee the integrity and compliance of HR data, maintaining accurate employee records across HR systems in line with GDPR and internal standards.

• Partner with payroll to ensure accurate processing of starters, leavers, and pay-related changes for weekly and monthly paid staff.

• Monitor and analyse HR metrics to identify trends, provide insight, and inform continuous improvement across engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness.

• Maintain and evolve site-level competency and training matrices, ensuring role requirements are clearly defined, supported by appropriate training and aligned with compliance needs.

• Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of early talent programmes, including work experience, apprenticeships, placements, and internships, to strengthen future talent pipelines.

• Contribute to the creation and rollout of job architecture and competency frameworks, ensuring clear role definitions and progression pathways across functions and regions.

• Assist in the review, development, and consistent application of HR policies and procedures, delivering training and guidance to line managers as needed.

• Play an active role in group-wide HR initiatives and digitalisation projects, supporting data-driven decision-making and driving more efficient ways of working.

Who We Are Looking For:

You'll have strong generalist HR experience and the confidence to give clear, considered advice on sensitive matters. You'll be organised, comfortable managing competing priorities and attentive to detail, particularly when handling employee data.

You'll hold a relevant degree or a CIPD Level 5 qualification. Experience in manufacturing or engineering would be particularly useful, as would familiarity with HR systems, Excel, competency frameworks or early talent programmes with the passion for continuous improvement.

Due to the vast growth of the business a candidate with recruitment experience would be essential to support continuous recruitment drives.

Remuneration & Package

We offer a competitive salary depending on experience.

Location

Oliver Valves, Parkgate, Knutsford, WA16 8DX