HR Assistant - ER and Recruitment

Whitworths Limited; Irthlingborough; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitworths Limited is seeking an HR Assistant to join a busy HR team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will support the HR Business Partner, assist with early‑stage ER, recruitment, onboarding, and data reporting while maintaining confidentiality.

The role requires CIPD Level 3 or working towards it, solid HR experience, and good communication. You will work across attendance, probation, welfare, and investigations, with a practical, empathetic approach and strong data integrity.

Qualifications

• Experience in an HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, HR Administrator or similar HR role.
• CIPD Level 3, working towards CIPD Level 3, or equivalent HR knowledge.
• Exposure to basic ER (absence, probation, welfare, informal performance, conduct, investigations).
• Confidentiality, professional judgement and data handling.

Responsibilities

• Support HR Business Partner team with early-stage and informal employee relations activity.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, HR scorecards and reporting.
• Produce accurate data, spot gaps or trends, and keep actions moving.
• Support HR Admin with core processes, records and data integrity.

Skills

HR experience

Data reporting

Confidentiality

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 3

HR qualification or equivalent

Tools

HR systems

Excel

Job description

About The Role

At Whitworths, our purpose is simple: fuelling health, reducing disease, one bite at a time. Our mission is to create daily DFNS — dried fruit, nuts and seeds — consumption to save lives and unlock category growth.

We are a growing business with ambition, pace and a clear focus on genuine nutrition. From Nutty Kitchen meat‑free meal solutions, to NutriBoost, Power 10 and Wondermix, we are moving beyond healthy snacking into new spaces that support better everyday nutrition.

Could this be your next HR step?

• Are you already working in HR and ready for broader exposure?
• Do you enjoy working with people data, supporting managers and helping issues get handled well at the earliest stage?
• Can you work at pace, stay organised and bring care, integrity and good judgement to sensitive people matters?

If so, we would like to hear from you.

We are looking for an experienced HR Assistant to join our busy HR team. This is a great opportunity for someone with some hands‑on HR and basic employee relations experience who wants to keep developing in a fast‑paced, operational business.

What you’ll be doing

• As our HR Assistant, you will support our HR Business Partner team with early‑stage and informal employee relations activity. You will help managers take timely and consistent action on areas such as attendance, probation, welfare, informal performance and conduct matters.
• You will also support recruitment, onboarding, HR scorecards, Bradford Factor reporting, meeting notes, file notes, investigations and manager follow‑up.
• Good people decisions need good information, so you will play an important role in producing accurate data, spotting gaps or trends, and keeping actions moving.
• You will also support our HR Admin team when needed, helping with core people processes, employee records and data integrity. We are a small team, so understanding the basics and being willing to step in matters.

What you’ll bring

You do not need to be an ER expert, but you do need enough HR experience to hit the ground running.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience in an HR Assistant, HR Coordinator, HR Administrator or similar HR role.
• CIPD Level 3, working towards CIPD Level 3, or equivalent HR knowledge.
• Some exposure to basic ER, such as absence, probation, welfare, informal performance, conduct, note taking or investigation support.
• Confidence working with HR systems, trackers and Excel.
• Good attention to detail and respect for confidentiality.
• The confidence to follow up with managers and keep actions moving.
• Clear communication, professional judgement and integrity.
• A practical, calm and organised approach.
• An interest in developing further within HR.

Experience in manufacturing, FMCG, logistics, warehousing or another fast-paced operational environment would be helpful, but it is not essential.

How we work

The credibility of our HR team is built on how we work with colleagues and managers. We are looking for someone who will bring integrity and work in line with our STAR values:

Solutions — you look for practical ways forward.
Teamwork — you work well with others and support the wider team.
Accountability — you follow through and take ownership.
Respect — you treat people fairly, maintain confidentiality and act with care.

Why join Whitworths?

You will join a professional and supportive HR team where you can learn, contribute and build your career. You will gain exposure across recruitment, people reporting, early ER, manager support and core HR processes, while playing a part in a business that is growing and genuinely focused on better nutrition.

Whitworths is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process.

We also align to ethical recruitment and preventing modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation in all forms. We will never ask candidates to pay fees as part of the recruitment process. If you have any concerns about modern slavery, exploitation or unethical recruitment practices, you can seek support from the Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700.