HR Manager

Oliver Valves Ltd; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Valves Ltd in Knutsford is seeking an HR Manager with manufacturing/engineering experience to provide practical, day-to-day HR support to managers and employees across the UK.

The role covers over 300 employees with a mix of generalist work and involvement in wider HR projects, including data integrity, analytics, talent programmes, and policy development.

You will work with GDPR compliance and drive improvements in engagement and retention while shaping competency frameworks.

Qualifications

• Strong generalist HR experience essential.
• Relevant degree or CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Experience in manufacturing or engineering preferred.
• Familiarity with HR systems and Excel.
• Recruitment experience to support continuous recruitment drives.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical advice on generalist HR matters and resolve day-to-day people issues.
• Lead full employee lifecycle for assigned workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, absence management, performance and offboarding.
• Oversee 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 and aligned with compliance needs.
• Lead and coordinate development and implementation of early talent programmes (work experience, apprenticeships, placements, internships).
• Contribute to creation and rollout of job architecture and competency frameworks across functions and regions.
• Assist in review, development, and consistent application of HR policies and procedures, delivering training to line managers.

Skills

Generalist HR experience

Advising on sensitive matters

Organised

Prioritisation

Attention to employee data

Education

Degree or CIPD Level 5

Tools

HR 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

• 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