H R Manager

Bedford, Bedfordshire
Watton Recruitment Ltd

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you are not maintaining an existing People function but shaping how it works. Working with an established and growing operational business of around 200 employees, where this role will bring dedicated people leadership and play a central part in strengthening how people are supported, managed and developed across the organisation.

If you are someone who enjoys building, improving and creating clarity, rather than inheriting a fully formed structure, this role offers genuine scope to make a meaningful impact.

The role
Working closely with the COO and leadership team, the Manager of People Operations will take ownership of developing a practical and consistent approach to the People function across the business.

This is a hands-on role, with a strong focus on building relationships, supporting managers and embedding ways of working that are clear, fair and effective.

You will be a visible presence across the site, collaborating with teams and leaders day-to-day, influencing how people are managed and helping to bring greater consistency and confidence across the organisation.

What you will be focusing on

• Bringing greater consistency to people practices across the business
• Leading and supporting the review and improvement of contracts, policies and core documentation
• Supporting managers to confidently manage employee relations matters
• Introducing more structured approaches to absence management and case handling
• Working with the leadership team to strengthen communication and engagement, including employee forums
• Building trust and credibility with a long serving and operational workforce
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and overall efficiency

What we are looking for
This role will suit someone who is comfortable operating in an environment where there is a degree of ambiguity and where priorities need to be shaped as well as delivered. The successful candidate will be confident demonstrating judgement, resilience and steady leadership in a developing environment.

You will bring:

• Strong generalist HR experience, including hands on employee relations
• Experience working in operational environments such as manufacturing, logistics or similar
• The ability to build credibility quickly and influence a range of stakeholders
• A calm, pragmatic and grounded approach, particularly when dealing with challenge or differing views
• Confidence supporting managers while encouraging ownership of people related activity
• A practical mindset, with an interest in improving systems, processes and ways of working
• The ability to balance immediate operational needs with longer term improvements

This is a role for someone who is comfortable being visible, building relationships and collaborating closely with people across all levels of the business.

Why this role

• The opportunity to help shape and strengthen the People function within the business
• A role with real visibility and influence across the organisation
• The chance to work closely with a leadership team committed to improvement
• Scope to introduce practical changes that will make a tangible difference