HR Advisor

Howden Joinery Limited; Raunds; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Staff discount

Ongoing training and development

Subsidised lunch

Free onsite parking

Friendly, supportive environment

Recognition programmes

Job summary

Howdens Joinery is seeking an HR Advisor to join our Raunds operation. You will provide coaching and guidance to managers, lead employee relations efforts, and partner with trade union representatives to maintain a constructive climate.

You will analyse people data to drive improvements and work with HR colleagues on recruitment, learning and development, and change initiatives. The role requires flexibility for site travel and occasional hours outside core shifts to support a 24-hour operation.

Qualifications

• Generalist HR Advisor experience in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Significant employee relations experience with complex cases.
• Experience working in a unionised environment with TU engagement.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice and current employment legislation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to influence managers at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operational leaders to deliver people-focused solutions that support business objectives.
• Provide expert advice on employee relations, ensuring policy and legal compliance.
• Build and maintain relationships with Trade Union representatives to foster a positive employee relations climate.
• Analyze people data and trends to inform decisions and identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with HR teams to deliver recruitment, learning and development and Employee Relations initiatives.
• Support organisational change, engagement initiatives and HR projects to enhance colleague experience.

Skills

Employee relations

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Influence & coaching

Travel flexibility

Education

Degree in HR or related

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Howdens is looking for a Human Resources Advisor to join our team in Raunds, home to one of our flagship warehousing and distribution facilities. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to play a key role in supporting a large, fast-paced operational environment that is central to our business success.

We're looking for someone with strong employee relations expertise, experience of working alongside Trade Union/works council representatives, and the ability to confidently use people data and insights to influence decision‑making and drive business improvement.

You’ll be a trusted partner to operational leaders, providing practical HR support, coaching and challenge while helping to create a positive, high‑performing culture.

This is a varied and rewarding role, ideal for someone who enjoys building strong stakeholder relationships, working in a fast‑paced environment, and travelling to support our wider operation.

While standard working hours apply, a degree of flexibility is desirable, as our site operates 24 hours a day and occasional support outside of core hours may be required to meet business needs.

Location | Raunds, Northamptonshire Contract | Full‑time, Permanent Reporting to | HR Business Partner

What will I be doing as an HR Advisor?

Reporting to the HR Business Partner, you will act as a trusted advisor to managers and colleagues across the Raunds operation, providing coaching, guidance and support on a wide range of people matters.

• Partnering with operational leaders to deliver people‑focused solutions that support business objectives.
• Providing expert advice and guidance on employee relations matters, ensuring consistency and compliance with company policies and employment legislation.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with Trade Union representatives, supporting a positive employee relations climate and collaborative approach to workplace issues.
• Analysing people data and trends to help inform decision‑making and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, influencing and challenging where appropriate to achieve the best outcomes.
• Supporting organisational change, engagement initiatives and HR projects that enhance the colleague experience.
• Working collaboratively with specialist HR teams, including Recruitment, Learning & Development and Employee Relations, to deliver an excellent HR service.

What do I need to qualify for the HR Advisor role?

• Previous experience in a generalist HR Advisor or HR Business Partnering role within a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Significant employee relations experience, including managing complex and sensitive cases through to resolution.
• Experience working in a unionised environment with exposure to Trade Union engagement and consultation processes.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice and current employment legislation.
• Excellent relationship‑building and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and coach managers at all levels.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, warehousing, logistics or distribution operations would be advantageous.
• Degree‑educated or equivalent business‑related qualification.
• Working towards, or already holding, CIPD membership.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and present people data, identify trends and use insights to inform business decisions.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• The ability to balance multiple priorities and adapt in a changing business environment.
• A flexible approach to travel, with the ability to visit other sites when required.

What can we offer you?

Competitive salary

• Pension plan with up to 12% company contribution
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days
• Staff discount
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Subsidised lunch in our onsite restaurant
• Free onsite parking
• A friendly, supportive and inclusive working environment
• Recognition and reward programmes that celebrate success

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is a highly successful FTSE 100 business, with more than 900 depots nationwide and more than 11,000 staff. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we continue to experience significant growth and success. Despite our scale, Howdens remains a local business with traditional values. There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast‑paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.

We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email [e-mail] with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you. Please note that candidates applying for this role must have a valid right to work in the UK, we do not offer sponsorship of employment for any depot positions at this time. We appreciate your understanding.

Whether you’re working in our depots, building strong relationships with our trade customers, or applying your expertise to create, manufacture and distribute our market‑leading products, there are many roles that make Howdens a success. Find out more about what makes our Depots tick.

Howdens is the UK’s number one specialist kitchen supplier, trusted by the trade since 1995. From just 14 depots when we started, we’ve grown to nearly 950 across the UK and Europe, and we’re still growing. At Howdens, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether in our depots, manufacturing sites, or support teams, everyone plays a vital role in helping us grow, innovate, and make a difference.

We work exclusively with trade professionals, giving them the products, service, and support they need to deliver kitchens fitted to the highest standard. By building strong partnerships with local tradespeople, we help them exceed their customers’ expectations, and in turn, we all succeed together. Our success is built on a simple but powerful model: locally empowered depot teams backed by a world‑class supply chain. This means we can keep products in stock, provide exceptional service, and deliver real value to our customers every day.