HR Business Partner

Ford & Stanley Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Rail Engineering specialist seeks an HR Business Partner in Milton Keynes with an attractive salary of up to GBP45,000. This role combines operational autonomy with strategic influence, ideal for experienced HR professionals in a blue-collar environment. Responsibilities include managing complex employee relations cases and providing guidance to senior management. This position offers a flexible hybrid work model and a supportive team environment, making it perfect for those looking to advance their HR careers.

Benefits

Excellent work-life balance

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Flexible working model

Qualifications

• Proven track record as an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor in a blue-collar setting.
• Hands-on approach to ER casework with understanding of UK employment law.
• Resilient HR professional experienced in fast-paced industrial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage full lifecycle of complex ER cases.
• Act as trusted advisor to Senior Managers and Executive stakeholders.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and professional development for HR Administrators.

Skills

Employee Relations

Strategic Partnership

Team Leadership

Operational Excellence

Compliance with UK employment law

Education

CIPD Level 5

CIPD Level 7 or Chartered status

Job description

HR Business Partner Milton Keynes Up to GBP45,000 Permanent

The Opportunity

Ford & Stanley are exclusively partnering with a leading Rail Engineering specialist to recruit a hands‑on, proactive HR Business Partner for their site in the Milton Keynes area.

This is a quintessential generalist role that offers a unique blend of operational autonomy and strategic influence. Reporting to a supportive HR Manager, you will be the "go-to" HR lead for a busy, safety‑critical site, overseeing a team of three HR Administrators.

This role is perfect for a Senior HR Advisor looking for a step up or an established HRBP who thrives in a "sleeves‑rolled‑up" blue‑collar environment. Notably, this position offers an excellent work‑life balance with a 1:00 PM finish every Friday and a flexible hybrid working model.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: Lead and manage the full lifecycle of complex and routine ER cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, and performance management.
• Strategic Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to Senior Managers and Executive stakeholders, providing the confidence to challenge decisions and ensure best practices.
• Team Leadership: Provide day‑to‑day supervision, workload allocation, and professional development for a team of three HR Administrators.
• Operational Excellence: Support change management activities, including redundancy, TUPE, and restructuring where required.
• Culture & Engagement: Drive initiatives related to employee wellbeing, retention, and performance improvement within a unionised environment.
• Compliance: Ensure all HR activities align with UK employment law and specific rail/engineering industry standards.

The Candidate

We are looking for a resilient HR professional who thrives in fast‑paced, industrial, or manufacturing settings. You must have the "gravitas" to influence senior stakeholders and be comfortable working within a unionised environment.

• Experience: Proven track record as an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor within a blue‑collar/site‑based sector (e.g., Engineering, Manufacturing, or Logistics).
• Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 is essential; Level 7 or Chartered status is a significant benefit.
• Skills: Strong hands‑on approach to ER casework and a comprehensive, up‑to‑date understanding of UK employment law.
• Attributes: A confident communicator who isn't afraid to challenge the SLT when needed to drive high standards of fairness and professionalism.

Location & Benefits

• Location: Wolverton / Milton Keynes (Hybrid: 3 days on‑site / 2 days WFH).
• Salary: Up to GBP45,000.
• Working Hours: Mon Thu 08 00, Friday 08 00.
• Holiday: 25 Days + Bank Holidays.

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on‑going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.