HR Manager

Cooper Golding; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper Golding in Barnstaple, North Devon, is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the formation of a dedicated HR function from the ground up. You will design policies, processes and systems that support growth, working closely with the senior leadership team to define the people agenda.

The role blends strategic oversight with practical delivery: establishing attendance and performance processes, leading recruitment, developing learning initiatives, ensuring UK employment law compliance,

Qualifications

• Experience in an HR Manager, HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor role with increasing responsibility.
• Experience establishing or significantly improving HR policies, procedures and people processes.
• Knowledge of attendance management, employee relations, performance management and workforce planning.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Ability to influence, coach and support managers at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Establishing and developing a fit-for-purpose HR function across the business.
• Creating, implementing and maintaining HR policies, procedures and employee documentation.
• Developing robust attendance management, absence monitoring and performance management processes.
• Reviewing and improving existing people systems, ensuring they support business objectives and provide accurate HR reporting.
• Leading recruitment activities, workforce planning and onboarding processes.
• Developing learning and development initiatives to build capability across the workforce.
• Providing practical HR advice and guidance to managers on employee relations, disciplinary, grievance and performance matters.
• Ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and supporting the business with best practice HR guidance.
• Working alongside senior leadership to develop people strategies that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Driving a positive workplace culture built on accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.

Skills

HR management

Employee relations

UK employment law

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 5

Tools

HRIS / HR software

Attendance management

Job description

HR Manager – Barnstaple North Devon

Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 + Benefits

Location: Barnstaple, North Devon

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

The Opportunity

An established manufacturing business is entering an exciting period of growth and transformation and is investing in developing a dedicated HR function. This is a rare opportunity for an HR professional who thrives on creating structure, implementing best practice and driving positive cultural change. Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in establishing the HR function, developing the policies, processes and systems that will support the business for years to come.

Whether you're an experienced HR Manager looking for the opportunity to shape a people function from the ground up, or an ambitious HR professional ready to step into a broader leadership role, this position offers genuine scope to make a lasting impact and grow alongside the business.

The Role

As HR Manager, you will take ownership of all aspects of the people function, designing and implementing HR processes that improve employee engagement, compliance and operational performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing and developing a fit‑for‑purpose HR function across the business.
• Creating, implementing and maintaining HR policies, procedures and employee documentation.
• Developing robust attendance management, absence monitoring and performance management processes.
• Reviewing and improving existing people systems, ensuring they support business objectives and provide accurate HR reporting.
• Leading recruitment activities, workforce planning and onboarding processes.
• Developing learning and development initiatives to build capability across the workforce.
• Providing practical HR advice and guidance to managers on employee relations, disciplinary, grievance and performance matters.
• Ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and supporting the business with best practice HR guidance.
• Working alongside senior leadership to develop people strategies that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Driving a positive workplace culture built on accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.

About You

We're looking for a proactive HR professional who enjoys creating structure, building strong working relationships and delivering practical people solutions.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience in an HR Manager, HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor role, with increasing responsibility.
• Experience establishing or significantly improving HR policies, procedures and people processes.
• Knowledge of attendance management, employee relations, performance management and workforce planning.
• A strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• The confidence to influence, coach and support managers at all levels of the business.
• A pragmatic, hands‑on approach, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with day‑to‑day operational delivery.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship‑building skills.
• Previous experience within manufacturing, engineering or another industrial environment would be highly advantageous, although candidates from other operational environments will also be considered.

Qualifications

CIPD Level 5 qualified or working towards qualification (Level 7 desirable).

Relevant HR qualifications or equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary of £55,000–£65,000, depending on experience.
• Permanent, full-time position.
• The opportunity to build and shape the HR function from the ground up.
• Close collaboration with the senior leadership team, with genuine influence over business decisions.
• A role offering long-term career development as the business continues to grow.

This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who wants to make a genuine difference—bringing structure, consistency and best practice into a growing manufacturing environment while developing a people function that will have a lasting impact on the business.