HR Manager

Zendbox | eCommerce Fulfilment Specialist; Whetsted; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing eCommerce fulfilment company based near Maidstone, Kent, is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead and develop people strategies. This role involves overseeing HR operations, employee relations, recruitment, and training in a fast-paced environment. Candidates must have a proven track record in HR management, excellent decision-making skills, and familiarity with data tools. The position also offers hybrid work options and an attractive benefits package.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

33 day holiday allowance

On-site free parking

Paid birthday leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR management or as a senior HR generalist.
• Hands-on expertise in employee relations, absence management, and recruitment.
• Skilled in coaching and supporting leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day HR activities for effective people processes.
• Design and manage performance management frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and enhance onboarding processes.

Skills

HR Management

Employee Relations

Recruitment

Training and Development

Data Analysis

Education

Experience as HR Manager or senior HR generalist in an SME

Tools

HR Data Tools

Job description

Zendbox.io is a fast-growing, tech‑led eCommerce fulfilment and distribution business based near Maidstone in Kent. We help ambitious brands scale by delivering smart, reliable warehousing and logistics solutions - and we’re now looking for an experienced HR Manager to support our next stage of growth.

About The Role

We’re looking for a confident, hands‑on HR Manager to lead and develop our people strategy at our Kent HQ near Maidstone. This is a true blend of strategic and operational HR in a fast‑paced distribution environment, overseeing the full employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to performance, wellbeing, absence management and retention.

You’ll need to hit the ground running: setting direction quickly, making clear decisions, taking ownership of absence management (including use of the Bradford Factor) and giving managers the support and challenge they need to deliver.

You’ll work closely with senior leadership to ensure our people practices directly support business objectives, while creating a culture that enables our teams to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

HR Leadership (Operational Focus)

• Oversee day‑to‑day HR activities to ensure effective people processes across the business
• Support managers with organisational changes, staffing needs and people‑related decisions
• Contribute to initiatives that improve culture, engagement and team performance

Employee Relations (ER) & Absence Management

• Lead on all ER matters including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances and policy updates
• Design and own a robust absence management framework across the business
• Use tools such as the Bradford Factor to monitor sickness and identify trends
• Support and coach line managers to confidently manage attendance, conduct return‑to‑work meetings and follow through on formal processes where needed
• Act as a trusted advisor to managers on complex people issues

Board Reporting & Metrics

• Provide regular reports on key HR metrics including turnover, absence, engagement, ER activity, recruitment and DEI
• Use data to demonstrate impact, support planning and drive accountability across the business

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Oversee end‑to‑end recruitment and employer branding strategy
• Work at pace to attract and secure the right talent for a fast‑moving distribution environment
• Streamline and enhance onboarding processes for a seamless employee experience

Compliance

• Ensure HR policies, processes and practices are legally compliant and up to date
• Keep the business informed and prepared for changes in employment law and HR best practice
• Oversee right‑to‑work checks, data protection compliance (GDPR) and all statutory reporting

Manager Development & Training

• Develop and deliver training and support to build confident, capable line managers
• Equip managers to handle ER, performance and absence matters consistently and effectively
• Promote values‑based leadership across the business

Performance & Development

• Design and manage effective performance management frameworks
• Foster a culture of regular feedback, growth and accountability

Wellbeing & Benefits

• Lead wellbeing and mental health initiatives
• Manage and optimise employee benefits to support attraction and retention

Requirements

• Proven experience as an HR Manager or senior HR generalist in an SME environment (essential)
• Strong generalist background with hands‑on expertise across ER, absence management, recruitment, L&D and engagement
• Confident and decisive, with the ability to hit the ground running and make clear, pragmatic decisions
• Commercially minded, with the ability to align people strategy with business needs
• Skilled in coaching, influencing and supporting leaders at all levels
• A practical, solutions‑focused approach and ability to work autonomously
• Familiarity with distribution, logistics, warehousing or other fast‑paced operational environments (experience with eCommerce fulfilment businesses like Zendbox.io is highly beneficial)
• Comfortable using HR data and metrics (including Bradford Factor or similar tools) to drive action

Benefits

• Hybrid (4 days on site, 1 day WFH)
• Career development opportunities
• 33 day holiday allowance (inc bank holidays)
• On site free parking
• Paid birthday leave