Senior HR Officer

ZF; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mobility solution provider in Darlaston seeks a Senior HR Officer to oversee HR activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Key responsibilities include managing HR processes, supporting employee relations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and experience in HR practices. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £55k and various employee benefits, including holidays and pension contributions.

Benefits

Competitive salary

27 days holiday plus statutory holidays

Pension contributions

Health Cashplan

Life Assurance cover

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of HR processes and employment law.
• Hands-on approach to building trust on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Ensure service delivery of HR processes like absence management and recruitment.
• Act as the primary HR contact for employees and union representatives.
• Lead HR continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Experience in a manufacturing environment

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Conflict resolution

Data analysis experience

CIPD Level 5

Attention to detail

Job description

Senior HR Officer

Become our next FutureStarter

Are you ready to make an impact? ZF is looking for talented individuals to join our team. As a FutureStarter, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of mobility. Join us and be part of something extraordinary!

Country/Region: GB

Location: Darlaston, GB

About the Team

To lead and support HR activities within a fast‑paced unionized manufacturing environment, ensuring effective employee relations, compliance, and continuous improvement in HR practices. This is a hands‑on role requiring proactive engagement with employees at all levels, driving initiatives that enhance workforce performance, engagement, and HR functional excellence. To excel in this role, you will need the ability to encourage and motivate people, build strong relationships cross‑functionally and have exceptional communication skills.

What you can look forward to as Senior HR Officer

• Ensure service delivery of fundamental HR processes – including absence management, recruitment, onboarding and maintaining accurate HR records
• Act as the primary HR contact for employees, including union representatives
• Supervise HR Apprentice and Training Officer by providing guidance, feedback, and support to develop their skills and knowledge
• Lead HR‑related continuous improvement initiatives
• Coach line managers on effective people management practices
• Manage grievance and disciplinary procedures in line with company policy and union agreements
• Use internal systems to provide accurate people data with appropriate analysis and recommendations to internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with operational teams to improve employee engagement and retention
• Promote employee wellbeing programmes and mental health awareness
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and collective agreements
• Support payroll and time‑keeping processes in collaboration with Finance and Operations

Your profile as Senior HR Officer

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• A strong understanding of HR processes, procedures, employment law and best practices
• Hands‑on approach with the ability to work on the shop floor and build trust
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
• Experience with HR systems and data analysis
• CIPD Level 5 or above (desirable)
• Familiarity with payroll and time‑keeping systems (desirable)
• Commitment to continuous improvement, attention to detail and organisational skills (desirable)
• Resilience and adaptability, problem‑solving and decision‑making, as well as influencing and stakeholder management (desirable)

Why you should choose ZF in Darlaston

• Compensation up to £55k per year
• Hours of work will normally be 37 per week, following the standard pattern.
• Monday – Thursday: 8.00am – 4.30pm (lunch break 12.30pm – 13.00pm)
• Friday: 8.00pm – 1.00pm (no lunch break – work straight through)
• Pension (up to 6 % contribution from company with 3 % contribution from employee)
• 27 days holiday, plus statutory days
• 2 × Life Assurance cover
• Health Cashplan

Contact

Anne Jügling

DEI at ZF

At ZF, we continuously strive to build and maintain a culture where inclusiveness is lived and diversity is valued. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that all our employees can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this vision in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape the future of mobility.