Human Resources Manager

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annumReporting to: Managing DirectorHours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday (flexible)Contract Type: Temporary (Maternity Cover, 12 months, Immediate start)Location: Southampton area

About Us

Our client is a fast-growing, employee-owned wholesaler in the health and wellness sector, supplying retailers across the UK and internationally. With around 250 employees and a dynamic management team overseeing eight diverse departments, we operate in a busy 24/7 environment with multiple shift patterns. As an employee-owned business, they pride ourselves on strong employee engagement and profit-sharing initiatives.

Role Overview

They are seeking an experienced HR Manager to provide maternity cover for 12 months. This role is pivotal in managing a diverse workforce, ensuring smooth HR operations, and supporting organisational development during a period of growth.

You will lead the HR function, offering both strategic guidance and hands-on support to managers and employees. This is a stand-alone management role within a small HR team, ideal for a proactive HR professional who can work independently and drive HR initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee daily HR operations and advise managers and staff.
• Manage and support the HR team, ensuring effective coordination of processes.
• Maintain and develop HR policies in line with legislation and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, GDPR, and internal standards.

Recruitment & Talent Management

• Lead end-to-end recruitment and partner with managers on hiring needs.
• Manage onboarding and offboarding processes.
• Support training and development initiatives.

Employee Relations & Performance

• Act as the primary contact for complex employee relations cases.
• Coach managers to build capability in people management.
• Coordinate performance management processes and engagement initiatives.

HR Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to HR strategy and organisational change projects.
• Lead or support HR projects, including policy updates and system improvements.

Reporting & Analytics

• Maintain HR metrics and provide insights to support leadership decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent); Level 7 desirable.
• Proven experience in an HR Manager or senior HR role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organised and proactive, able to work independently.

Benefits

• Employee-owned business with profit-sharing bonus (currently averaging £200/month tax-free).
• Pension contributions via salary sacrifice.
• Health & dental insurance contribution.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Staff discount on all products.