People & Operations Manager

Material Evolution; Middlesbrough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering materials technology company as a People & Operations Manager. This role is vital in building a high-performing team and creating a positive workplace culture. You will manage HR queries, oversee office operations, and provide executive support. With a focus on employee well-being and engagement, you'll help shape the future of the organization. This innovative firm is dedicated to sustainability and offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefits, including generous holiday and wellness initiatives. Be part of a mission-driven team that values every individual's contribution.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus an extra day for your birthday

Cycle to work scheme

Learning budget

Social events

Wellness allowance

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience supporting senior leadership with administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR admin, including contracts and employee records.
• Coordinate payroll and support employee engagement initiatives.

Skills

HR Management

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Payroll Coordination

People Engagement

Education

CIPD Level 3 or equivalent HR qualification

Tools

Office Management Software

Payroll Systems

Job description

Material Evolution is a materials technology company founded in 2020 by CEO, Dr. Liz Gilligan and headquartered in Middlesbrough with offices in London and Wrexham. With a successful £15 million Series A funding round in summer '23 and our cutting-edge production facility in North Wales, we are on track to eliminate gigatons of carbon emissions.

We’re a team of innovators, scientists, and experts, combining our unique blend of experience, skills, and expertise to drive change in the cement and concrete industry.

Join us, and be part of a groundbreaking effort to build a more sustainable world, one material at a time.

About This Role and the Impact You Will Have:

As the People & Operations Manager at Material Evolution, you’ll play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission by building a well-supported, high-performing, and engaged team. We’re looking for a passionate, organised, and people-focused individual who’s excited to help shape the way we work and grow together.

This is more than an admin role, you’ll be the go-to person for people-related queries, office management, and day-to-day operational support. From onboarding to engagement, you’ll guide the full employee experience with care, structure, and creativity. Working closely with every department, you’ll play a key role in making Material Evolution a place where people feel empowered to do their best work.

What You'll Be Doing:

Reporting directly to the CEO & Founder, you’ll ensure the smooth running of our business operations. You’ll lead people operations, manage the office environment, and support the team with practical and strategic admin.

Key responsibilities include:

People Operations:

• Act as the first point of contact for HR queries, including employee relations or grievances
• Manage HR admin: contracts, compliance, and maintaining accurate employee records
• Lead onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a consistent and welcoming experience
• Coordinate monthly payroll in collaboration with our finance provider
• Support employee wellbeing and engagement, including planning team socials and organising internal initiatives

Office Management:

• Handle day-to-day office management, including supplies, facilities, IT coordination, and supplier relationships
• Order office supplies, book travel and accommodation, and manage general maintenance
• Be the first point of contact for phone and IT queries, including ticket escalation
• Coordinate with external IT providers and attend monthly service meetings
• Manage office upkeep, including workspace appearance and plant care
• Coordinate domestic and international shipments of product samples

Finance & Executive Support

• Process invoices, raise POs, and manage finance admin and trackers
• Liaise with external accountants for approvals and reporting
• Provide administrative support to the CEO and SLT, including calendars, documentation, and internal communications
• Partner with leadership to improve systems, workflows, and communication

Key Skills and Experience Required:

• CIPD Level 3 or equivalent HR qualification, with a strong working knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practices, and compliance
• Proven experience supporting senior leadership or executive teams, including calendar coordination, travel arrangements, internal comms, and handling sensitive information with discretion
• Highly organised with experience managing general business operations, such as finance administration, office procurement, supplier management, and IT coordination
• Confident in managing payroll coordination and liaising with external HR/payroll providers
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with proven ability to juggle multiple responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills - able to interact confidently with people at all levels, build trusted relationships, and maintain confidentiality
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and bring structure to ambiguity
• A genuine passion for creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture, with experience planning and delivering internal events, socials, and engagement initiatives

Our Benefits and Perks:

At Material Evolution, we provide everything you need to perform at your best. Our rewards, benefits, and initiatives are designed to support your career growth, enhance your well-being, and contribute positively to our community.

Along with a competitive salary, we offer an outstanding benefits package, including 25 days holiday (plus an extra day for your birthday), cycle to work scheme, learning budget and social events. We're passionate about well-being, which is why we've partnered with a leading healthcare provider and offer a wellness allowance.

We’re creating an environment and culture where every individual feels safe and empowered to do their best work. We believe in everyone being treated and paid fairly, no matter their age, sex, ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

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