Job title: Employee Relations - Specialist C
Ref no: 3747105
Location: Solihull
Duration: 12 months (rolling)
Hourly rate: £28.69 ph. INSIDE IR35 UMBRELLA COMPANY
Hour per week:40.00
Department: HR Direct ER&W
The Opportunity
We are seeking an individual who can deliver exceptional, professional HR support to our manufacturing facilities across the West Midlands, focusing on all aspects of Absence Management. The ideal candidate will demonstrate their ability to embody our Creators Code values, constantly displaying Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact in all aspects of their work
As training will be provided, we are seeking someone who is eager to learn and develop within the field of Employee Relations.
The role would suit someone who:
- Has a Customer Love manufacturing focused mindset
- Is a good team player who displays Unity but can also work independently
- Is curious, inquisitive and can use a range of questioning techniques and is seeking Growth in their development
- Is a strong communicator who Impacts outcomes
- Is resilient and can work with Integrity
Key Performance Indicators
- 3.5% absence (0.8% LTA, 1.7% STA)
- 80% Customer Satisfaction
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities could include:
- Lead the coordination and delivery of Employee Relations Consultant support, with a primary focus on effectively resolving manufacturing related absence cases to improve attendance and contribute to key operational performance outcomes.
- Provide timely and effective support for both short and long term absence matters and restricted worker cases, including the management of complex cases.
- Support line managers in conducting absence related disciplinary investigations and hearings, up to and including dismissal and appeal, ensuring processes are followed consistently and professionally.
- Identify cases that would benefit from early intervention and quickly implement tailored support measures to reduce absence duration and improve employee outcomes.
- Develop and deliver absence management training to all stakeholders across the manufacturing environment, ensuring they have the skills and confidence to manage attendance effectively.
- Collaborate closely with Employee Relations Consultants across manufacturing sites to review, refine and align absence management policies, standardise best‑practice processes and contribute to the successful delivery of key project initiatives.
- Work in partnership with Occupational Health services to ensure timely interventions, effective support plans and reduced absence timescales across the manufacturing environment.
- Actively promote and encourage the use of wellbeing resources, such as the Employee Assistance Programme, Aviva Plus, BEN and the Centre for Wellbeing, to strengthen employee support and drive reductions in absence frequency and duration.
- Apply sound judgement and balanced risk analysis to make informed recommendations on appropriate case outcomes inline with company policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with cross functional teams to support accurate data reporting relating to manufacturing absence, ensuring insights are available to inform decision making and trend analysis.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders across HR and the wider business to ensure the efficient delivery of Employee Relations services.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Employee Relations team, actively identifying opportunities to enhance processes, tools or ways of working.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities or tasks as required by the line manager in connection with the role.
Key Interactions
- Senior and middle line managers
- Senior Trade Union in the local area you support
- Site HR People Partner team
- Employee Relations and Engagement team
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Experience of supporting absence, ill‑health, restricted workers and disciplinary casework in a manufacturing environment.
- High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail.
- Effective organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage a varied workload.
- Strong coaching and advisory skills, capable of supporting and engaging managers across all levels.
- Customer focused mindset with a commitment to delivering high‑quality HR support.
- Ability to work autonomously, using initiative to manage workload and meet challenging deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver consistent, effective results in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
Desirable:
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
- Ability to use rational judgement, critical thinking and data analysis to inform decision‑making.
- Comfortable and confident using a range of HR systems, technologies and digital tools.
Personal Profile
Essential:
- Demonstrates the Creators’ Code behaviours of Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact in all interactions and decision‑making.
- Embraces differences with empathy and openness, encourages collaboration, and supports others to achieve shared goals.
- Builds trust through honest, transparent communication, active listening and respectful engagement.
- Takes initiative, shows curiosity and uses feedback, learning and reflection to drive continuous personal and professional growth.
- Demonstrates resilience, energy and enthusiasm, performing effectively in a fast‑paced and demanding environment.
- Balances immediate, pragmatic decision‑making with longer term strategic thinking.
- Responds constructively to new challenges, differing viewpoints and changing priorities.
- Positively challenges existing ways of working, contributing new ideas while maintaining credibility and trust.
- Communicates complex information clearly and confidently to a range of audiences.
- Acts as an effective team player, supporting, developing and positively influencing colleagues at all levels.
Desirable
- Enables efficient decision making by creating alignment, clarity and a shared sense of purpose, while bringing others on the journey.
PLEASE NOTE:
Initially 5 days in the office when learning the role.
Will be hybrid - 3 days in the office two wfh. No fixed days.
