Regional HR Manager

WestRock; London Borough of Hillingdon; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in sustainable packaging solutions is hiring a Regional HR Manager in London. This role involves leading HR programs, providing strategic advice, and managing employee relations in a complex environment. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in HR, 7-10 years of HR experience in a manufacturing setting, and strong interpersonal skills. The position includes collaboration with regional leadership and oversight of HR operations.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of experience as HR Generalist in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to challenge and debate issues constructively.
• High level of customer focus and excellent presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of core HR programs and initiatives.
• Serve as strategic partner on employee relations and performance management.
• Manage complex employee relations issues and investigations.

Skills

European Employment Law

Interpersonal Skills

Planning Skills

Communication Skills

Team Empowerment

Customer Focus

Education

Bachelor degree in HR or Business

CIPD qualified or working towards

Job description

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Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

The Regional HR Manager is responsible for leading implementation of core HR programs and employee-related initiatives in the business to ensure an effective, sustainable people strategy over the long term. The Regional HR Manager serves as strategic advisor, employee champion, managing a multi-functional HR Department including compensation, employment, benefits, training and employee relations. This role is responsible for developing talent strategies to increase workforce diversity, optimize core and pivotal talent, and ensure a robust talent pipeline for the future. This role involves regular travel to visit the sites within the region to maintain visibility, build relationships and support site based HR teams. This role also oversees the UK payroll team.

Job Responsibilities/Key accountabilities:

Business Partnering

Serve as strategic partner providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, talent management and organisation effectiveness, using data-driven diagnostics for decision-making to foster cultural change in business transformation.

Build strong relationships with Regional Leadership Team, General Managers and Senior Managers to understand operational challenges and provide HR solutions.

Support budget management to align with regional business goals.

Consult and advise local Leadership on topics of interest that could have a major impact on employee morale and regional business objectives achievement.

Serve as change agent as Smurfit WestRock continues to expand with a goal of providing world-class customer and employee experience.

Promote employee and organizational development including leadership development, succession planning, performance management programs, skills gap analysis, and individual career development.

Drive change management initiatives across BU’s to support regional transformation and growth.

Strategic HR Leadership

Align HR strategies with Consumer Europe and Regional goals and objectives.

Provide coaching and mentorship to site-based HR professionals including HR Administrator, Payroll Manager and Talent Acquisition Specialist to enhance functional expertise, drive performance and support organisational goals.

Foster a collaborative HR culture across the region by facilitating knowledge sharing, aligning on best practice and driving cross-functional initiatives that enhance consistency, innovation and impact across the region.

Employee Relations & Compliance

Ensure consistent application of HR policies and practices across the business units ensuring compliance with local labour law.

Manage complex employee relation issues, investigations and conflict resolution.

Support the local HR teams in resolving people related issues, settle disputes, and conduct internal investigative procedures.

Talent Management & Development

Lead regional talent reviews, succession planning and leadership development programs.

Identify skill gaps and coordinate training and development initiatives across the business units.

Champion diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts regionally.

Foster a continuous learning environment through developing and improving the knowledge and skills of the organization, including analysing training needs, determining how to meet the training needs, as well as coaching and mentoring future leaders.

Workforce Planning & Mobility

Support workforce planning, including headcount forecasting & budgeting, recruitment strategies and internal mobility.

HR Operations & Analytics

Monitor and analyse HR metrics, reporting trends and informing decisions (eg turnover, engagement, absenteeism).

Manage administrative functions to ensure HR systems and records are accurate, consistent, and efficient.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in HR or Business related subject, or equivalent experience

CIPD qualified or working towards

Knowledge, skills and experience

7 to 10 years of experience as HR Generalist in complex, unionized manufacturing environment

Good knowledge of European Employment Law

A high level of customer focus

Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills

Demonstrable communication and influencing skills

Ability to challenge and debate issues in a constructive manner

Ability to support empowered employees in a team environment

Excellent planning and organisational skills

Able to demonstrate continuous improvement in a previous role

Ability to look at situations from several points of view and demonstrate empathy

Persuasive with details and facts

Delivers multiple activities consistently to high standard

Ability to reduces complexity through simple, clear plans

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