About this role
HR Manager Milton Keynes | £50,000–£55,000 per annum | Permanent | Office-based
Take ownership of HR and help shape the employee experience An established, standalone business operating within the retail and distribution sector is seeking an experienced HR Manager to oversee its people function and provide a trusted source of HR expertise across the organisation.
With a workforce of approximately 50 employees, this is a broad, hands-on position offering the opportunity to work directly with the Managing Director and support colleagues across the business. You'll be responsible for ensuring that HR is delivered effectively, consistently and in line with both employment legislation and commercial priorities.
This role would suit a confident HR generalist who is comfortable working autonomously, resolving complex people matters and balancing operational requirements with a positive employee experience.
The role You'll oversee the full range of HR activity, from recruitment and employee relations through to payroll coordination, compliance and workforce development.
Your responsibilities will include:
HR advice and business partnering: Provide practical guidance to the Managing Director, line managers and employees, helping the business make informed and consistent people decisions.
Employee relations: Take ownership of conduct, disciplinary, grievance, attendance, capability and performance issues, ensuring matters are handled fairly, sensitively and appropriately.
Recruitment and onboarding: Manage hiring activity from identifying staffing requirements and attracting candidates through to selection, offers, pre-employment checks, induction and probation.
HR administration: Keep employee documentation up to date, including contracts, policies, handbooks, personal records and all relevant employment changes.
Payroll and benefits: Prepare accurate monthly payroll updates covering starters, leavers, salary changes, sickness, annual leave and statutory payments, alongside supporting benefits administration.
People development: Coordinate performance conversations, learning and development, employee engagement, retention activity and succession planning.
Employment compliance: Monitor adherence to UK employment legislation, right-to-work checks, data protection, working-time requirements and internal procedures.
Reporting and insights: Prepare and review people data covering staffing levels, absence, turnover and recruitment to help identify trends and support business decisions.
Change and improvement: Assist with organisational changes, consultation and restructuring where required, while identifying opportunities to improve HR systems, policies and ways of working.
Workplace culture: Encourage a professional, inclusive and accountable environment in which employees are supported and performance expectations are clear.
About you You'll be an experienced HR practitioner who can combine sound technical knowledge with a straightforward, solutions-focused approach.
You'll ideally bring:
CIPD Level 5 qualification or higher.
Experience working as an HR Manager or Senior HR Adviser in a generalist capacity.
Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and established HR practice.
The ability to manage employee relations cases independently, including sensitive or complex situations.
Experience coordinating recruitment, onboarding, payroll inputs and core HR administration.
Confidence working with senior stakeholders and advising managers on people-related decisions.
Excellent communication, organisation and prioritisation skills.
Commercial awareness and the judgement to balance business objectives with fair employee treatment.
A high level of discretion when handling personal, confidential and sensitive information.
Competence with HR systems, Microsoft Office and payroll-related processes.
You'll be comfortable managing a varied workload in a fast-moving environment and able to move between immediate operational issues and longer-term people priorities.
Salary and benefits Annual salary of £50,000–£55,000, depending on experience.
30 days' annual leave, plus additional leave for length of service and your birthday.
Pension scheme.
Contractual sick pay.
Free onsite parking.
Employee discounts.
Social activities and company events.
Opportunities for professional growth and career progression.