HR Assistant

Fairfield Farm Crisps; Colchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A family-owned farm in Colchester is seeking a part-time HR Assistant to join their team. The role involves day-to-day HR administration, supporting recruitment and onboarding, and handling payroll administration. Ideal candidates will have previous HR experience, be organized and proactive, and possess communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary, annual leave, and a supportive work environment. Flexible hours, working 8 am to 5 pm over 3 days, provide an excellent work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

5 weeks annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Company pension scheme

Free parking

Employee discounts and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience in HR administration, recruitment, or similar role is highly desirable.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Comfortable working in a busy, people-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate staff records and HR documentation.
• Support recruitment activities including onboarding and training.
• Assist with payroll administration and liaise with the HR partner.
• Act as a first point of contact for routine employee queries.

Skills

HR administration

Recruitment

Confidential information handling

Communication

Proficiency in MS Office

Education

CIPD Level 3 qualification (or willingness to obtain)

Tools

Sage Payroll

Job description

HR Assistant Fairfields Farm Produce Ltd are looking for a part‑time HR Assistant to join our team on a permanent basis for 3 days per week, at our site just north of Colchester, Essex.

Why Fairfields Farm Produce Limited:

We are a family‑owned, independent farm, and since 2006 we ve been growing our own potatoes and crafting them into award‑winning, hand‑cooked crisps right here on site. As we work towards becoming the UK s first carbon‑neutral crisp producer, we re seeking talented individuals who share our passion for quality, sustainability, and innovation. As our business continues to expand, we re creating a brand‑new role to support the development of a professional HR function across both the farm and crisp manufacturing operation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants variety, autonomy, and the chance to shape HR in a growing, forward‑thinking organisation

Fantastic company benefits include:

• Salary: Competitive (pro rata for part‑time hours, dependent on qualifications and experience).
• Holiday: 5 weeks annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part‑time hours)
• Pension: Company pension scheme.
• Free Parking: We provide onsite free parking.
• Employee extras such as: Employee discounted products, supportive working environment, development opportunities, and involvement in an exciting, expanding food brand.

About the role:

As a part‑time HR Assistant, you will provide day‑to‑day HR administration across the farm and manufacturing operation. Working closely with management and the external HR Partner, you will help maintain accurate employee records, support recruitment and onboarding, assist with payroll administration, and act as a first point of contact for routine HR queries. This part‑time role offers variety, autonomy, and the opportunity to grow as the HR function develops. Working hours for this role will be 3 days per week working 8am 5pm.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate staff records, personnel files, and HR documentation, including Disciplinary and Grievance records.
• Support recruitment activities including shortlisting, interview coordination, onboarding, and age verification documentation and overseeing training including H&S induction records.
• Assist with preparation of contracts, offer letters, and HR documentation for permanent and temporary staff.
• Maintain time and attendance records, absence, holiday, and probation tracking, and update HR systems/databases.
• Being a first point of contact for routine employee queries and supporting managers with training and HR processes.
• Helping coordinate seasonal and agency staffing requirements, including maintaining labour agency compliance documents, contracts and agency pay records, attendance records and rights to work documents.
• Working with the Operations Director to obtain and retain SMETA accreditation.
• Support payroll administration, liaise with HR partner on compliance, and help coordinate training and HR processes.

About you:

As a part‑time HR Assistant, you will be a proactive, organised, and confident HR professional, comfortable working in a busy, people‑focused environment. Previous experience in HR administration, recruitment, or a similar role is highly desirable. You must be able to handle confidential information with discretion, communicate effectively with staff at all levels, and be proficient in MS Office and HR systems. Experience with Sage Payroll, HR advisory services, understanding of HR processes and employment law, and familiarity with farming, food production, or manufacturing are advantageous. A CIPD Level 3 qualification, or willingness to work towards it, is also desirable.

If you have the relevant skills and experience for this part‑time HR Assistant role and would like to be considered, please apply by submitting an up‑to‑date CV. We look forward to hearing from you.

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No recruitment agencies, please