HR Advisor

Oliver Valves; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Valves is hiring an HR Advisor to deliver day‑to‑day HR support across our UK operations, primarily Knutsford. You will manage recruitment, onboarding, ER, data accuracy, and payroll liaison for weekly and monthly staff while contributing to HR projects.

The role suits an experienced HR generalist with a mix of hands‑on work and compliance focus, based in Knutsford with some travel to Dundee as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong generalist HR experience with ability to advise on sensitive matters.
• Organised, capable of managing competing priorities, and detail‑oriented with employee data.
• Degree or CIPD Level 5; manufacturing/engineering experience and Excel/HR systems familiarity are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead full employee lifecycle for assigned workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, absence management, performance, and off‑boarding.
• Maintain HR data accuracy across systems in line with GDPR and internal standards.
• Partner with payroll to process starters, leavers, and pay changes for weekly and monthly staff.
• Monitor HR metrics to identify trends and inform improvements in engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop and implement early talent programmes, including work experience, apprenticeships and internships.
• Assist in review and rollout of HR policies and provide training to line managers as needed.
• Contribute to group-wide HR initiatives and digitalisation projects.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee relations

Data management

GDPR compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant degree

CIPD Level 5

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Payroll interfaces

Job description

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 off‑boarding, 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