Job Details

HR Manager - Standalone Role

📍 Location: Bedford (site-based)
💰 Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 dependant on experience
We are partnering with a well-established, fast-paced organisation within a production and warehousing environment to recruit an experienced HR Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on, commercially minded HR generalist who thrives in a standalone role and is comfortable operating across both operational and strategic HR.
This position offers high autonomy and trust, working closely with senior leadership to drive people initiatives and shape the HR agenda.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the full HR function, delivering a proactive and pragmatic HR service across the business.
You'll balance day-to-day HR operations with longer-term strategic initiatives, playing a key role in developing leadership capability, enhancing engagement, and driving best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive generalist HR support across all areas of the employee lifecycle
• Lead on employee relations, including attendance and performance management
• Act as a trusted advisor to the senior management team, influencing and guiding on best HR practice
• Drive learning & development initiatives, with a strong focus on:
  • Revamping training processes
  • Leadership and management development
• Develop, review, and update HR policies and procedures in line with employment law and best practice
• Coach and support line managers to build capability and confidence
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning
• Produce and analyse HR data and metrics, providing insights and action plans to the SMT
• Manage and optimise HR systems (currently using Breathe HR), assessing future needs
• Support payroll processes (outsourced), including preparation and changes
• Ensure accurate HR administration and compliance across all areas

About You

• A well-established HR professional with strong generalist experience at Manager level
• Proven background within production, manufacturing, or warehouse environments
• Confident managing ER cases with a pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
• Passionate about learning & development and leadership capability building
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior level
• Data-driven with experience using HR metrics to support decision-making
• Flexible, adaptable, and commercially aware (not overly rigid in approach)
• Comfortable operating in a standalone capacity with full ownership of HR
• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) desirable

What's on Offer

• Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 depending on experience
• Auto-enrolment pension
• Private healthcare
• 23 days holiday + half day for your birthday
• 3x life assurance
• Free food, including hot meals twice per week
• Comprehensive 2-week induction programme

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, energised HR professional who is looking to make a tangible impact in a business that genuinely values its people function.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.