UK Group HR Manager
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Job Type: Full-time, office based
Reports to: Group CFO
Job Overview
We are looking for an experienced and hands-on UK Group HR Manager to lead the HR function across our UK business, with the vast majority of time focused on ParkerSteel Limited at our Canterbury site.
This is a highly visible, practical HR leadership role in a busy operational environment. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with senior leaders and office-based teams, while also spending time on the shop floor and engaging directly with warehouse, production and transport colleagues.
The role will suit someone who can balance sound HR practice with commercial judgement, supporting managers with day-to-day people matters while also improving HR processes, employee relations, recruitment, training and management capability across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day HR function for the UK business, with primary focus on ParkerSteel Limited.
- Provide clear, practical HR advice to senior leaders, line managers and employees.
- Manage employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, conduct and performance issues.
- Coach managers to handle people matters fairly, consistently and confidently.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, probation reviews and workforce planning.
- Maintain and develop HR policies, procedures, contracts and employee documentation.
- Ensure compliance with UK employment law and internal HR processes.
- Support performance reviews, training needs, succession planning and employee development.
- Work closely with operational, transport and office-based managers to understand workforce challenges.
- Maintain accurate HR records and provide regular reporting on headcount, absence, turnover, recruitment and employee relations activity.
- Support employee engagement, communication and a positive working culture across the site.
Skills and Experience
- Strong generalist HR experience, ideally within a UK business of around 100–300 employees.
- Good working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience managing employee relations cases independently.
- Confident supporting senior managers and coaching line managers.
- Comfortable working in an operational, hands-on environment.
- Able to build credibility with colleagues at all levels, including shop floor, transport and office-based teams.
- Strong communication, judgement and problem-solving skills.
- Well organised, discreet and able to manage confidential matters professionally.
- Experience in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, steel or a similar operational environment would be advantageous.
- CIPD qualification or equivalent experience preferred.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is visible, approachable and commercially minded. This is not a remote HR role; it requires regular presence across the Canterbury site and a willingness to understand the practical realities of the business.
The right person will be confident dealing with both strategic and operational HR matters, while helping managers build stronger, more consistent people management practices.
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
