HR Manager

Talent Guardian; Wakefield; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

33 days' annual leave

Pension

Life insurance

Healthcare cashback scheme

Employee support service

Free parking

Promotional discounts

Job summary

Talent Guardian in Wakefield is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the people function for a multi-site drinks distribution business. The role blends strategic HR with hands-on employee relations and day-to-day people management, partnering with depot managers, heads of department and directors to support nine sites while managing an HR Assistant.

You will oversee onboarding, pay reviews, reporting and policy updates, with travel to depots as needed.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' broad generalist HR experience
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations
• Experience supporting senior managers across a multi-site business
• CIPD Level 4 minimum; Level 5/7 advantageous

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational HR guidance across the group.
• Coach and support managers on employee relations, performance, absence management, disciplinary processes, grievances and appeals.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures and working practices remain compliant with current UK employment legislation.
• Manage onboarding and induction process, supporting a positive employee experience.
• Oversee HR systems, employee records, people analytics and weekly management reporting.
• Lead annual policy reviews and support implementation of new HR initiatives.
• Support recruitment activity (interviews, selection and appointment processes).
• Gather and analyse information for annual pay reviews and gender pay gap reporting.
• Manage the Apprenticeship Levy and coordinate company-wide training.
• Deliver HR training and guidance to managers across the business.
• Manage and support the HR Assistant; visit depots when additional HR support is required.

Skills

Strategic HR partnering

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Communication

Independent working

Education

CIPD Level 4

CIPD Level 5

CIPD Level 7

Tools

HR systems

Job description

We are recruiting an experienced HR Manager to lead the people function for an established multi-site drinks distribution business based in Wakefield.

This is a varied generalist role combining strategic HR support with hands‑on employee relations and day‑to‑day people management. You will partner with depot managers, heads of department and directors, supporting approximately nine sites while managing one HR Assistant.

The business offers flexibility around hybrid working. Travel to other depots will be required when support is needed, rather than every week. The furthest locations are Maryport and Newcastle, which would typically be visited once every two to three months.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational HR guidance across the group.
• Coach and support managers on employee relations, performance, absence management, disciplinary processes, grievances and appeals.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures and working practices remain compliant with current UK employment legislation.
• Manage the onboarding and induction process, supporting a positive employee experience throughout the full employment lifecycle.
• Oversee HR systems, employee records, people analytics and weekly management reporting.
• Lead annual policy reviews and support the implementation of new HR initiatives.
• Support recruitment activity, including interviews, selection and appointment processes.
• Gather and analyse information for annual pay reviews and gender pay gap reporting.
• Manage the use of the Apprenticeship Levy and coordinate company-wide training.
• Deliver HR training and guidance to managers across the business.
• Manage and support the HR Assistant.
• Visit depots when additional HR support or guidance is required.

About You

• At least 10 years' broad generalist HR experience, including experience operating at HR Manager level.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.
• Confident supporting senior managers and directors across a multi-site business.
• Experienced in handling complex disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance matters.
• CIPD Level 4 as a minimum, although Level 5 or above is strongly preferred. CIPD Level 7 would be particularly advantageous.
• Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities.
• Experience with HR reporting, gender pay gap reporting and the Apprenticeship Levy would be beneficial.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake occasional site travel.

Benefits

• Salary of £45,000-£55,000
• Flexible hybrid working
• Company car
• 33 days' annual leave, including bank holidays
• Pension
• Life insurance
• Healthcare cashback scheme
• Confidential employee support service
• Free parking
• Access to promotional discounts

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys combining strategic influence with hands‑on HR delivery in a varied, multi-site environment.