Human Resources Manager

Harvey John; Littlehampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey John is seeking an HR Manager in Littlehampton, West Sussex, to shape the people strategy for a growing manufacturing business. You will design and lead the talent acquisition strategy, build an in-house HR function, and partner with senior leadership to scale the workforce while maintaining compliance with UK employment law.

The role involves end-to-end recruitment across all levels, employer branding, and developing apprenticeship and early careers programmes to support growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR leadership roles (HR Manager/HRBP/Senior Generalist).
• Strong track record in recruitment and talent acquisition, including technical/early careers hiring.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment across all levels and build talent pipelines.
• Oversee generalist HR including onboarding, contracts, payroll liaison and HRIS implementation.
• Develop and implement a forward-looking talent acquisition strategy aligned with growth plans.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance management, and policy development.

Skills

Talent strategy

Recruitment

Employer branding

People management

Stakeholder management

Job description

HR Manager

Littlehampton, West Sussex

Reporting to: Managing Director and CEO

An exciting opportunity to shape the people strategy of a growing manufacturing business

Our client is an ambitious, entrepreneurial manufacturer based in Littlehampton, with big plans for the future. They expect to double their headcount over the next three to five years. To support that growth, they’re creating a brand-new HR Manager role, and they want someone who can really make it their own.

Reporting directly to the MD and CEO, this offers real influence and genuine autonomy, and is a rare chance to build a dedicated HR function from the ground up. Your work will shape how the business attracts, develops and keeps its people for years to come.

Recruitment and talent strategy sit at the heart of this role. You will design and deliver a forward-looking talent acquisition strategy. Its aim is to bring in people at every level, from apprentices and graduates through to experienced professionals and senior hires, and to create clear routes for them to progress within the business. You will also lead the full generalist HR function, so the day-to-day people operations run smoothly as the organisation scales.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition and Strategic Recruitment

• Develop and implement a recruitment strategy that matches the business’s growth plans, working with the leadership team on workforce planning and future capability needs.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment across all levels, including role scoping, advertising, sourcing, screening, interviewing and offer management.
• Build and strengthen the employer brand so the business is known as an employer of choice in the local area and the wider industry.
• Create and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, universities and training providers, including developing apprenticeship, work experience and early careers programmes.
• Represent the business at careers fairs, industry events and educational outreach activities, promoting manufacturing and engineering careers.
• Establish talent pipelines and succession plans that support internal progression and long-term development.
• Measure and report on recruitment performance, including time to hire, cost per hire, retention and source effectiveness.

Generalist HR Management

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, inductions, probation reviews and leaver processes such as exit interviews.
• Prepare and issue contracts of employment, offer letters and changes to terms and conditions, keeping them compliant with current UK employment legislation.
• Manage pay, holiday and benefits administration, working closely with payroll and finance.
• Lead the final stages of a new HR system implementation.
• Oversee the performance management framework, including appraisals, one-to-ones and objective setting, and coach managers to deliver them well.
• Advise managers on employee relations matters such as absence, conduct, capability, grievances and disciplinaries.
• Develop, review and maintain HR policies, procedures and the employee handbook.
• Support learning and development initiatives, training plans and employee engagement activity.
• Maintain accurate HR records and produce people metrics and reports for the senior leadership team.

About You

You are a well-rounded HR professional with solid generalist experience and a real passion for talent and recruitment. You will be energised by the chance to establish and shape a new role. You will also enjoy seeing the direct impact of your work on a business that is growing fast.

Our client is looking for:

• Proven experience in an HR Manager, HR Business Partner or senior HR Generalist role.
• A strong track record in recruitment and talent acquisition, ideally including technical and/or early careers hiring.
• A background in manufacturing, engineering or a similar industry.
• Experience building relationships with educational institutions or running apprenticeship schemes, which would be a real advantage.
• Sound working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience of implementing or optimising HR systems.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to partner with senior leaders.
• A proactive, hands-on and commercially minded approach, comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.