HR Manager

Oliver Valves Group; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Valves Group is seeking an experienced HR Manager to support over 300 employees across UK operations, based mainly in Knutsford. You will provide practical, day-to-day HR support to managers and staff, handling recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, absence management and data integrity.

The role combines hands-on generalist work with participation in wider HR projects, policy development and early talent initiatives to strengthen future talent pipelines and ensure compliance across

Qualifications

• Degree in HR or related field or CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Proven generalist HR experience across a multi-site environment.
• Experience with HR systems, data management and compliance (GDPR).

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical advice on day-to-day HR matters across the UK sites.
• Lead full employee lifecycle for assigned workforce: recruitment, onboarding, ER, absence, performance, offboarding.
• Oversee HR data integrity and GDPR-compliant records across HR systems.
• Monitor HR metrics to identify trends and inform improvements in engagement and retention.
• Maintain site-level competency and training matrices, defining role requirements and training needs.
• Lead early talent programmes: work experience, apprenticeships, placements and internships.

Skills

Generalist HR

CIPD Level 5

HR data management

Education

Degree in HR or related

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Tools

HRIS systems

Excel

Job description

HR Manager

We’re looking for an HR Manager with experience within engineering or manufacturing sector to provide practical, day-to-day support to managers and employees across our UK operations, helping to resolve people matters, keep HR processes running smoothly and improve the employee experience.

The role supports over 300 employees, primarily based in Knutsford, with a small number in Dundee. It offers a broad mix of hands‑on generalist work and opportunities to contribute to wider HR projects.

About Us

We are a family-owned global company that produces ultra critical valves for the world’s oil, gas and hydrogen industries, where exceptional quality and on time delivery is critical.

With operations spanning the UK, USA, Dubai, Malaysia and India, and a world-class Research & Development centre in Knutsford, we have ambitious plans to grow beyond our £100m turnover.

Our business model is to sub-contract our components, then assemble at our facilities in Knutsford and Chennai. Our culture is agile, entrepreneurial and decisive. There are no layers of bureaucracy, endless committees or slow-moving approval processes. We value common sense, accountability and action.

The Role

You will support the HR function within the following areas:

• Act as a trusted HR professional, providing clear, practical advice across all generalist HR matters, and ensuring timely resolution of day-to-day people issues.
• Lead the full employee lifecycle for your assigned workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, absence management, performance, and offboarding, escalating complex matters where necessary.
• Oversee the integrity and compliance of HR data, maintaining accurate employee records across HR systems in line with GDPR and internal standards.
• Monitor and analyse HR metrics to identify trends, provide insight, and inform continuous improvement across engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness.
• Maintain and evolve site-level competency and training matrices, ensuring role requirements are clearly defined, supported by appropriate training and aligned with compliance needs.
• Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of early talent programmes, including work experience, apprenticeships, placements, and internships, to strengthen future talent pipelines.
• Contribute to the creation and rollout of job architecture and competency frameworks, ensuring clear role definitions and progression pathways across functions and regions.
• Assist in the review, development, and consistent application of HR policies and procedures, delivering training and guidance to line managers as needed.

Who We Are Looking For:

You’ll have strong generalist HR experience and the confidence to give clear, considered advice on sensitive matters. You’ll be organised, comfortable managing competing priorities and attentive to detail, particularly when handling employee data.

You’ll hold a relevant degree or a CIPD Level 5 qualification. Experience in manufacturing or engineering would be particularly useful, as would familiarity with HR systems, Excel, competency frameworks or early talent programmes with the passion for continuous improvement.

Due to the vast growth of the business a candidate with recruitment experience would be essential to support continuous recruitment drives.

Remuneration & Package

We offer a competitive salary depending on experience.

Location

Oliver Valves, Parkgate, Knutsford, WA16 8DX