HR Business Partner – People & Talent

About the role

We are partnering with a well‑established manufacturing business to find an HR Business Partner who will sit at the heart of the UK operation. The role is hybrid, based in Pembury/Kent, and combines employee‑relations, HR operations and talent responsibilities across multiple sites.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the full employee‑relations lifecycle, including disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence management.
• Provide commercially‑sound, pragmatic advice aligned with UK employment law to managers and employees.
• Conduct investigations, ensuring consistency, fairness and compliance.
• Coach and develop managers to build capability in handling people matters.
• Deliver a high‑quality, consistent HR service across the employee lifecycle.
• Own and continuously improve HR processes, policies and documentation.
• Manage occupational health relationships and absence processes.
• Use HR data and metrics to support decision‑making and identify trends.
• Oversee end‑to‑end recruitment, from role scoping to onboarding, and manage agency relationships.
• Explore and implement digital and AI‑enabled solutions to enhance HR delivery and streamline processes.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or similar role in a fast‑paced, operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee‑relations best practices.
• Ability to balance people‑centred decisions with commercial business needs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with managers at all levels.
• Hands‑on, proactive attitude with a focus on continuous improvement.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary £45,000‑£50,000 depending on experience.
• Benefits package including pension, private healthcare and flexible working.
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative, forward‑thinking manufacturing group.
• Access to digital tools and AI‑enabled HR technologies.