HR Manager

Optima UK Inc Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A busy food manufacturing company in Wellingborough is seeking an experienced HR Manager to oversee the entire HR function. The role involves managing the employee lifecycle, handling employee relations, and ensuring compliance with employment law. Ideal candidates will have experience in the food manufacturing sector and a solid understanding of HR best practices. This is a standalone position for a motivated professional to foster a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environment preferred.
• Ability to manage ER casework confidently and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for HR-related matters.
• Manage full employee lifecycle including recruitment and onboarding.
• Lead on employee relations issues.
• Coordinate training and development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment law and regulations.

Skills

CIPD Level 5 qualified preferred

Proven HR generalist experience

Solid understanding of UK employment law

Strong interpersonal skills

Self-motivated and organised

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Manager to take ownership of the full HR function at our busy food manufacturing site in Wellingborough. This is a standalone generalist role, ideal for a confident HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. Supporting a diverse workforce, you will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive HR service that aligns with operational goals and promotes a positive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for all HR-related matters across the site, providing guidance to managers and employees.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, probation reviews, performance management, employee relations, and offboarding.
• Lead on employee relations issues including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and conflict resolution.
• Coordinate and deliver training and development initiatives to support upskilling and compliance.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with employment law, food manufacturing regulations, and internal policies.
• Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks in line with legislative changes.
• Oversee and improve HR processes, systems, and reporting (including absence, turnover, and training records).
• Support internal communications and drive employee engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with site leadership to support workforce planning and organisational development.
• Liaise with payroll and ensure accurate and timely employee data management.

Skills & Experience Required

• CIPD Level 5 qualified preferred.
• Proven HR generalist experience, ideally in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Solid understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Self-motivated, organised, and able to work independently in a standalone role.
• Experience managing ER casework confidently and professionally.
• Knowledge of health & safety, audit, and compliance frameworks within manufacturing is desirable.