HR Case Manager - Employee Relations

Hutchison Ports (UK); Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 8% employer contribution

Life Assurance 14× annual salary (p)

Profit share bonus

EAP

Occupational Health

Volunteering days

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

Hutchison Ports UK is seeking an experienced HR professional to lead first line case management and employee relations at our Felixstowe port. You will manage absence, support line management, and coordinate with occupational health to support staff returning to work after absence.

With 4 years of front line HR experience, strong knowledge of employment legislation, and a proactive, solution‑driven approach, you will help raise standards across our port workforce.

Qualifications

• 4 years front line HR experience in a unionised environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Proven ability to deliver first class, technically correct, professional support under pressure and to strict deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of first line Case Management (Disciplinary, Grievance and Absence Management).
• Proactively manage absence, both long and short term, across the business.
• Liaise with our occupational health provider to assist in decision making for those at work and returning after absence.
• Work with management teams to improve people management and performance.
• Coordinate restructuring processes ensuring legal and policy compliance.
• Liaise with legal advisors and ACAS where required.

Skills

Front line HR experience

Employment legislation knowledge

People management

HR policies & procedures

HRIS / HR systems

Education

CIPD Qualified or equivalent degree

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Our Benefits – Rewarding the people who keep our port moving

We offer a strong, reliable benefits package designed to support your financial security, wellbeing and long term development:

• Competitive pension: 8% employer contribution (min 4% employee)
• Life Assurance: 14× annual salary for pension scheme members (4× for non-members)
• Annual profit share bonus and performance related bonus
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential counselling, stress & anxiety support, financial wellbeing guidance, plus access to our Wellbeing Hub
• On site Occupational Health Team and wellbeing support

Time, Flexibility & Community

• Paid leave, enhanced sick pay terms, and family friendly policies
• Volunteering days supporting our local community
• Perkbox retail discounts, wellbeing content and savings across hundreds of brands

Growth & Development

• Access to development pathways, accredited training, and career progression opportunities across our port network

Role Overview

Key responsibilities

• Ownership of first line Case Management (for example, Disciplinary, Grievance and Absence Management) activity.
• Proactively manage absence, both long and short term, across the business ensuring all stakeholders are involved.
• Liaise with our occupational health provider to assist in decision making to support both those employees at work and those returning to work after long term absence, making decisions in conjunction with line management in respect of best approach.
• Work collaboratively with management teams to increase and improve the level of people management, supporting to manage individual performance where appropriate.
• Identify and suggest solutions for key areas in relation to the improvement of standards and results relating to all areas of case management (including but not limited to absence, disciplinary etc).
• Co-ordinate any restructuring process within the business units ensuring compliance to legal and policy requirements.
• Liaising with legal advisors and ACAS in support of ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunals where required.

What you need

• 4 years previous front line HR experience, in a unionised environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Proven ability to deliver first class, technically correct, professional support under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR policies and procedures and collective agreements
• Previous experience of using HR systems/databases.
• CIPD Qualified or equivalent degree
• Full driving licence, as will be required to drive round the Port site for meetings.

Shifts & Pay

• Basic salary: Competitive compensation with a starting salary of circa Â48,000 with the opportunity to earn incremental payments in line with development framework
• Hours: 37.5hrs per week – Monday to Friday

Inclusion & Community

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We celebrate individual differences and believe that embracing diversity drives innovation, creativity, and stronger collaboration across our teams.

As part of this commitment, we consider all qualified applicants and encourage open conversations about flexible working. We offer a supportive, community‑focused environment and are proud to hold Chartered Status from Women in Maritime.

We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process to ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. While we may not always be able to accommodate every request, we will always do our best to understand individual needs and explore suitable adjustments. These may include:

• Providing application materials in alternative formats (e.g. large print or accessible documents)
• Giving additional time for assessments or interviews
• Sharing interview formats in advance where appropriate
• Providing interview questions in a clear, readable printed format for all candidates
• Where possible, offering virtual interviews as an alternative to in-person attendance
• Adjusting interview environments (e.g. quiet rooms or reduced distractions)
• Allowing the use of assistive technology or support persons
• Providing clear communication and instructions throughout the process

Our dedicated Diversity & Inclusion committee supports a range of employee networks, including our Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability, and Culture groups.

Hutchison Ports UK is able to sponsor skilled worker visas in cases where the role fits the requirements set out by the UK government. Please refer to the government website via this link to understand the requirements needed. In cases where a post-study visa is used initially, it may be the case that the skilled worker visa requirements will not be met once this visa has expired.

Hutchison Ports is committed to creating and developing an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants and encourage discussion about flexible working opportunities. We offer a supportive, community environment and have been awarded Chartered status by Women In Maritime. Our D&I committee oversees multiple employee networks including - Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability and Culture.