Responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded HR Business Partner to support two key manufacturing operations: Carbon Brakes Division in Coventry (approximately 100 employees) and Braking Systems in Ansty (approximately 150 employees).
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive HR professional who enjoys being close to the operation, building trusted relationships from the shop floor to senior leadership, and making a tangible difference in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
The role:
As HR Business Partner, you will be the visible face of HR across both sites, providing high-quality, pragmatic and people-centric support to operational leaders and employees. This is a hands-on role with strong exposure to employee relations, employee engagement, talent and annual HR processes, leadership coaching and continuous improvement projects.
You will work in a complex matrix environment, collaborating with stakeholders across the UK and US. While you will have significant influence and ownership of local delivery, you will also be comfortable operating within wider divisional governance and supporting decisions made by budget holders and senior leaders.
The role is primarily operational, with the opportunity to contribute strategic insight and develop into broader HR leadership over time.
Your responsibilities
- Partner with manufacturing and functional leaders to deliver an effective, responsive HR service across the Coventry and Ansty sites.
- Build credible, trusted relationships with leaders, line managers, shop-floor employees, employee representatives and divisional HR stakeholders in the UK and US.
- Lead and support complex employee-relations activity, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
- Coach managers to build confidence and capability in people management, performance, absence, conduct and employee relations.
- Support a unionised manufacturing environment and participate in the operational rhythm of the sites, including Run the Business meetings, Kaizens, town halls and other employee-engagement forums.
- Deliver annual HR processes, including talent planning, succession, performance and development activity.
- Support organisational change, workforce planning and capability-building initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, strengthen and continuously improve HR processes and the employee experience.
- Manage and develop a small HR team of one to two colleagues, creating clarity, accountability and development opportunities.
- Balance multiple priorities effectively while maintaining a visible, professional and solutions-focused HR presence.
Who we are looking for
- CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification
- Proven HR Business Partner experience within manufacturing, engineering or another fast-paced operational setting.
- Strong employee-relations expertise; experience in a unionised environment would be highly beneficial.
- Experience supporting annual HR processes, including goal setting, performance calibrations, talent management discussions, annual pay and bonus reviews for their areas
- Ideally experience managing another team member
- The ability to work effectively in a matrix organisation, influencing stakeholders across different functions, sites and geographies.
- Positive and curious approach that is solution orientated
- A practical, hands-on approach and the willingness to roll up your sleeves when needed.
- Strong prioritisation skills, resilience and sound judgement when managing competing demands.
- A continuous-improvement mindset, with the ability to turn insight into practical action.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
- A positive, human-centred and can-do approach, with a genuine passion for creating high-performing teams and a great employee experience
What we offer
- Growing company, stable sector part of a Fortune 250 corporation.
- Career growth and opportunities: we hire from within!
- Collaborative and empowered work environment where team spirit is at the center of our success.
- Company values that encourage trust, respect, collaboration and professional growth.
- Open environment: we are excited to hear your ideas!
- Attractive compensation packages designed to hire and retain the best talents in the industry including: base salary, pension up to 10% contribution and an annual bonus.
