Human Resources Business Partner

Cogito; Gillingham; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Company pension

Group Life Assurance

Free Parking

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Job summary

Cogito is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to support a busy manufacturing and operational workforce. You will partner with leaders to deliver pragmatic people solutions, drive performance and employee engagement in a fast-paced environment.

You will lead ER case work, advise on the employee lifecycle, support restructuring and workforce planning, and coach managers to build leadership capability within a small HR team.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience.
• Proven HR Business Partner experience within manufacturing, operations, logistics, distribution or retail.
• Strong employee relations experience.
• Experience leading or supporting collective consultation processes.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience supporting operational workforces and frontline employees.

Responsibilities

• Partner with manufacturing and operational managers to deliver effective people solutions.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on employee relations across the lifecycle.
• Lead and support disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management processes.
• Manage complex ER cases through to resolution.
• Support organisational change programmes, restructures and workforce planning initiatives.
• Lead and support collective consultation as required.
• Coach line managers to build leadership capability and confidence.
• Analyse people data to inform business decisions and drive improvement.
• Contribute to development and implementation of people policies and initiatives.
• Support employee engagement, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion activities.

Skills

CIPD qualification

Employee relations

Collective consultation

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Operational HR delivery

Job description

Our client is a well-established international retail and consumer products organisation with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and sustainability. They are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join their HR function and play a key role in supporting a busy manufacturing and operational workforce.

Working as part of a small, collaborative HR team, you will partner closely with manufacturing and operational leaders, providing pragmatic people solutions that support business performance, employee engagement and organisational growth.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced operational environment and is confident managing complex employee relations

matters.

This is an opportunity to join a purpose-driven international organisation where people are genuinely at the heart of the business. You'll have the chance to influence culture, support business performance and make a visible difference to the employee experience across a workforce of approximately 150 employees.

Key Information

• Salary circa £55-60,000 per annum
• Full Time Permanent
• 4 days onsite, 1 day working from home each week
• Candidates must have ER experience within Manufacturing, Logistics or Retail

The Role

Reporting into the People Director, you will:

• Partner with manufacturing and operational managers to deliver effective people solutions.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on employee relations matters across the employee lifecycle.
• Lead and support formal disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management processes.
• Manage complex ER cases through to resolution.
• Support organisational change programmes, restructures and workforce planning initiatives.
• Lead and support collective consultation processes where required.
• Coach and develop line managers to build leadership capability and confidence.
• Analyse people data and trends to inform business decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of people policies, processes and initiatives.
• Support employee engagement, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider business to ensure a consistent and positive employee experience.

About You

We are keen to speak with HR professionals who can demonstrate:

• CIPD qualification or equivalent HR experience.
• Proven HR Business Partner experience within a manufacturing, operational, logistics, distribution or retail environment.
• Strong employee relations experience
• Previous experience leading or supporting collective consultation processes.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience supporting operational workforces and frontline employees.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• A pragmatic, hands‑on approach with the ability to balance strategic and operational priorities.
• Confidence working autonomously within a small HR team.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company pension
• Group Life Assurance
• Free Parking