People Manager

XL Jobs; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supplier of veterinary medicines in the UK seeks a People Manager to lead HR functions and support organizational change. This role involves managing the employee lifecycle, ensuring compliance with UK employment law, and enhancing employee relations. Candidates should have a strong HR background, skills in change management, and exceptional communication abilities. The company offers competitive benefits including healthcare and holiday entitlement that increases over time.

Benefits

28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days

Healthcare

Standard working hours

Qualifications

• Strong experience in a People Manager or HR Manager role in the UK.
• Demonstrated change management skills and evidence of leading successful change.
• Working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews.
• Oversee payroll inputs each month and resolve payroll queries.
• Ensure all people practices meet UK employment law and internal governance.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Change management skills

Employee relations experience

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

CIPD Level 5 or working towards

Job description

Our client is a supplier specialising in the export of high-quality veterinary medicines, animal health products and agricultural supplies to international markets. Working with trusted manufacturers and distributors the company supports livestock, equine and companion animal sectors by providing reliable products, efficient logistics and responsive customer service tailored to global clients.

Role Purpose

Lead the people function and support organisational change. Deliver strong employee experience structure, clarity and culture. Provide advice to managers, manage the ER and ensure all people processes comply with UK employment law. Guide the organisation through continued growth and transition.

Key Responsibilities

People Operations

Manage the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance reviews, development and off-boarding.

Maintain accurate employee records and ensure GDPR compliance.

Provide advice and support to managers on all HR matters.

Oversee payroll inputs each month and resolve payroll queries.

Employee Relations

Act as first point of contact for staff queries.

Manage disciplinary, grievance and capability processes in line with UK employment law and ACAS guidance.

Maintain a fair respectful workplace and uphold equality and inclusion.

Learning and Capability

Identify skills gaps and training needs across the business.

Coordinate mandatory training and track compliance.

Support managers to build strong, clear and confident teams.

Change Management

Lead people-related elements of organisational change.

Deliver structured communication and consultation during changes.

Support managers to adopt new ways of working and ensure changes are understood and embedded.

Demonstrate previous experience implementing change such as restructuring, role redesign, new processes, new systems or culture initiatives.

Track outcomes and adjust plans to keep changes on target.

Compliance and Reporting

Ensure all people practices meet UK employment law and internal governance.

Maintain HR metrics such as absence, turnover and training completion.

Review and update policies and processes.

Requirements

Person Specification

Essential

Strong experience in a People Manager or HR Manager role in the UK.

Demonstrated change management skills and evidence of leading successful change.

Strong employee relations experience including complex cases.

Working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

Strong communication skills and the confidence to guide managers.

High attention to detail and strong organisational capability.

Experience preparing payroll information.

Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

Desirable

CIPD Level 5 or working towards.

Experience in a fast‑paced environment or multi‑site service‑based business.

Experience supporting operational managers.

Key Competencies

• Clear decision-making.
• Problem solving.
• Change leadership.
• Relationship building with staff at all levels.
• Adaptability in a changing environment.
• Analytical thinking and confidence with data.

Benefits

• 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) in your first year increasing to 33 days after that.
• Healthcare.
• Working hours 9‑5pm Monday – Friday.