HR Manager

Wilkins Talent Solutions; Swindon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilkins Talent Solutions is recruiting an experienced HR Manager for a busy manufacturing site in Swindon. You'll lead day‑to‑day HR delivery and work closely with managers to deliver practical, commercially focused HR support.

This role covers employee relations end‑to‑end, performance management, training, and HR data reporting using HRIS, Power BI and AI tools. You will be visible across the site, coaching managers and driving improvements.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent hands‑on HR generalist experience.
• Strong operational HR experience with practical, business‑facing mindset.
• Good knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Leading day‑to‑day HR activity across the site.
• Providing pragmatic and timely HR advice to managers and employees.
• Managing Employee Relations cases end‑to‑end, including absence, conduct, capability and grievance.
• Coaching managers to handle people matters confidently and consistently.
• Designing and delivering practical manager training.
• Leading the site's performance management process.
• Supporting talent, succession and capability discussions.
• Supporting pay review, bonus and other local reward processes.
• Simplifying and improving HR processes.
• Using HR data and KPIs to identify trends and drive action.
• Improving HRIS and data reporting; leveraging Power BI and AI tools.
• Representing HR within the wider leadership team.
• Potentially managing and developing HR team members.

Skills

Operational HR

Employee Relations

Stakeholder Management

Coaching Managers

Data Analytics

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

CIPD Level 7 (desirable)

Tools

HRIS

Power BI

AI Tools

Job description

HR Manager - Swindon

Location: Swindon

Sector: Manufacturing

Are you an experienced HR Manager or senior HR generalist who enjoys being close to the business and delivering practical, commercially focused HR support?

We're recruiting for a hands‑on HR Manager to join a busy manufacturing operation in Swindon.

This is a predominantly operational role where you'll work closely with managers and employees across the site, taking ownership of day‑to‑day HR delivery while helping to improve how HR operates.

You'll need to be comfortable being visible and accessible across the business - including spending time with operational teams on the shop floor - rather than operating purely from an HR office.

The Role

As HR Manager, you'll be responsible for a broad range of operational HR activities, including:

• Leading day‑to‑day HR activity across the site
• Providing pragmatic and timely HR advice to managers and employees
• Managing Employee Relations cases end-to-­end, including absence, conduct, capability and grievance
• Providing balanced, commercially aware and risk-conscious HR advice
• Coaching managers to handle people matters confidently and consistently
• Designing and delivering practical manager training
• Leading the site's performance management process
• Supporting talent, succession and capability discussions
• Supporting pay review, bonus and other local reward processes
• Simplifying and improving HR processes
• Using HR data and KPIs to identify trends and drive action
• Improving the use of HR systems and technology, including HRIS, Power BI and AI tools
• Representing HR within the wider leadership team
• Potentially managing and developing members of the HR team

About You

We're looking for an experienced HR professional with strong operational generalist knowledge and the confidence to independently manage complex people matters.

You’ll ideally have:

• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent hands‑on HR generalist experience
• Strong operational HR experience
• Good knowledge of UK employment law
• Strong Employee Relations experience
• Confidence managing absence, conduct, capability and grievance cases independently
• Experience supporting performance management
• Strong judgement and the ability to make practical, risk‑aware decisions
• Excellent relationship‑building and influencing skills
• The ability to coach and challenge managers constructively
• A practical, common‑sense approach to HR
• The ability to prioritise and work at pace
• Confidence working in an environment where priorities can change quickly
• The ability to create structure and clarity where there may be ambiguity

Experience within manufacturing, engineering, pharmaceutical or a similar operational environment would be highly desirable.

Experience with HRIS, people data/reporting, Power BI or AI tools would also be advantageous.

A CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience is desirable but not essential.

Why This Role?

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants a genuinely hands‑on HR management position where you can have a visible impact.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence managers, improve HR processes, develop capability across the business and help create a more effective and consistent approach to people management.

If you’re a commercially minded HR professional who believes HR should be practical, accessible and focused on making things work better, we’d love to hear from you.