HR Officer

AJP Recruitment; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

AJP Recruitment is partnering with a leading international steel construction business in Newcastle upon Tyne to recruit an experienced HR Officer. You will deliver practical, hands-on generalist HR support across a broad remit within a busy manufacturing environment.

Working alongside two other HR Officers and reporting to the HR Manager, you will handle recruitment, onboarding, employee relations and payroll-related queries while ensuring UK employment law compliance and accurate records.

Qualifications

• Experience in a broad, operational HR role.
• Solid knowledge of UK employment law.
• Strong organisational skills and prioritisation.
• Excellent communication and engagement with staff.
• Ability to escalate issues appropriately.
• Experience with manufacturing/engineering workforce is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day generalist HR activities with accuracy and consistency.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, inductions and documentation.
• Support absence management, attendance monitoring and OH referrals.
• Provide guidance on disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance processes.
• Maintain employee records and HR systems.
• Assist with payroll-related queries and data accuracy.
• Answer routine HR enquiries from staff and managers.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law and internal policies.
• Collaborate with wider HR team and provide cover as needed.
• Identify and resolve routine HR issues, escalating complex matters.

Job description

HR Officer – Newcastle upon Tyne

The Company

Our client is a leading international steel construction business, specialising in the fabrication and delivery of large-scale, complex structures for the global energy sector.

Operating from an impressive 300,000m² manufacturing facility on the banks of the River Tyne, the business delivers major engineering projects within a fast-paced, technically demanding environment.

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR Officer to join an established HR team, providing practical, hands‑on support across a broad range of generalist HR activities.

Working alongside two other HR Officers and reporting directly to the HR Manager, the successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the day‑to‑day HR requirements of a large and diverse workforce.

This is a varied, operationally focused position requiring someone who is organised, approachable and confident managing their own workload, while contributing positively to the wider HR function.

The Working Environment

The business operates within a busy manufacturing environment, supporting both office‑based employees and an extensive operational workforce.

The HR Officer will work closely with employees, supervisors and managers across the organisation, providing consistent, practical HR advice and support.

Previous experience within manufacturing, engineering, construction or another operationally focused environment would be advantageous. Equally important is a willingness to engage directly with the workforce, build effective working relationships and understand the demands of a busy industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day generalist HR activities, ensuring processes are delivered accurately, efficiently and consistently.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, inductions and employment documentation.
• Support absence management, attendance monitoring and occupational health referrals.
• Provide guidance and administrative support across disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance management processes.
• Maintain accurate employee records, HR systems and associated documentation.
• Assist with payroll-related queries and ensure relevant employee information is processed correctly.
• Respond to routine HR enquiries from employees, supervisors and managers.
• Ensure HR activities comply with UK employment legislation, internal policies and established procedures.
• Work collaboratively with the wider HR team, sharing information, managing priorities and providing cover when required.
• Identify and resolve routine HR issues independently, escalating more complex or sensitive matters to the HR Manager where appropriate.

About You

We are looking for an experienced HR generalist who combines sound technical knowledge with a practical, straightforward approach.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a broad, operational HR role, with the confidence to manage routine matters independently.
• A good working knowledge of UK employment law and established HR practices.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A confident, approachable communication style, with the ability to engage effectively with employees at all levels.
• Sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to recognise when issues require escalation.
• A proactive, solutions-focused attitude and the willingness to take ownership of responsibilities.
• A collaborative approach, recognising the importance of teamwork, flexibility and shared accountability.
• Ideally, previous experience supporting a manufacturing, engineering, construction or similarly operational workforce.

The Ideal Candidate

This position would suit an HR Officer or experienced HR Administrator looking for a varied, hands‑on generalist role within a substantial industrial business.

The emphasis is on finding someone who is dependable, commercially aware and comfortable operating in a busy working environment. They should be equally capable of managing the administrative detail of HR processes and engaging confidently with people across the business.

Above all, our client is seeking a team player who takes responsibility, uses their initiative and contributes to a professional, responsive and effective HR function