Remote-First Employee Relations Specialist

pladis Global; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare perks

Job summary

pladis Global is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor to shape fair people practices across the UK workforce. In a hybrid HR Operations team, you’ll partner with managers and senior stakeholders to navigate complex ER matters, lead investigations and ensure compliant outcomes.

You’ll develop expertise in UK employment law, coach managers, and influence across multiple sites including manufacturing and corporate functions. Remote-first with flexible arrangements across the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance and performance matters.
• Experience supporting or conducting workplace investigations, hearings and appeals.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application in a commercial environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management with ability to challenge, influence and coach managers at all levels.
• Confidence handling sensitive and high-risk cases with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, able to explain complex issues clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise multiple cases in a fast-paced setting.
• A genuine passion for employee relations and improving colleague experience.
• Experience FMCG, manufacturing or unionised environment.
• Exposure to complex organisational change programmes, collective consultations or trade union engagement.
• Experience coaching managers through investigations, disciplinary hearings and grievance processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on a diverse range of complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair and balanced outcomes.
• Conduct and support investigations into disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work, conduct, and workplace concerns.
• Coach and develop managers to confidently handle people matters and make sound employment decisions.
• Build capability across the business through expert guidance and practical employment law advice.
• Help create a positive employee experience while protecting business interests and minimising risk.
• Drive consistency, compliance and best practice across our UK operations.
• Provide expert advice across the full spectrum of ER matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, attendance, conduct and organisational change.
• Support and, where appropriate, lead complex investigations, ensuring thorough fact-finding and legally compliant outcomes.
• Partner with managers and HR teams to navigate sensitive and high-risk cases from initial concern through to resolution.
• Prepare managers for investigations, hearings and appeal meetings, providing coaching and guidance.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders across manufacturing and corporate functions, becoming a trusted advisor on ER matters.
• Act as escalation point for complex employee relations cases.
• Support performance management activities, including performance reviews and PIPs.
• Work with Trade Union reps and employee forums to build constructive relationships.
• Ensure accurate case management and reporting via ER systems.
• Stay updated on employment legislation and translate into practical business solutions.
• Occasional travel across the UK for significant investigations, hearings or complex cases.

Skills

ER case management

Investigations

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Coaching managers

Communication

Organisational change

Trade union engagement

Analytical thinking

Tools

ER systems

Job description

pladis Global is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor to shape fair people practices across the UK workforce. In a hybrid HR Operations team, you’ll partner with managers and senior stakeholders to navigate complex ER matters, lead investigations and ensure compliant outcomes.

You’ll develop expertise in UK employment law, coach managers, and influence across multiple sites including manufacturing and corporate functions. Remote-first with flexible arrangements across the UK.