Human Resources Director

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Director to join a well-established manufacturing company located in Oldham. This full-time position is based onsite with flexible start and finish times. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in stabilizing the HR function, reorganizing leadership structure, and developing an accountable and scalable HR infrastructure to support company growth and operational objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization's comprehensive people strategy aligned with growth, operational performance, and commercial goals.
• Provide strategic HR advice to the Managing Director, Board, and senior leaders, serving as the primary voice on workforce risk and organizational capability.
• Review and update HR strategies, policies, frameworks, and processes; conduct a full HR resourcing review to establish optimal structure and capabilities within the function.
• Ensure a proper mix of strategic and operational resources in HR, and implement strong Board-level reporting and HR governance.
• Manage employment compliance including contracts, right-to-work verification, working hours, pay, pensions, and employee records; perform a compliance audit within 90 days.
• Maintain a formal HR risk register and provide regular compliance and risk updates to the Board.
• Oversee complex employee relations cases, disciplinary, grievance, absence, and performance issues, working with external legal experts when needed.
• Lead a broad review of the Senior Leadership Team assessing capabilities, gaps, and recruitment needs, while designing future leadership structures and clarifying role responsibilities and decision-making rights.
• Develop recruitment frameworks, onboarding, performance management, competence standards, career development plans, succession strategies, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Enhance employee engagement and morale through surveys, feedback loops, communication initiatives, recognition and reward programs, and team-building activities.
• Manage the reward and benefits strategies ensuring market competitiveness and internal equity; oversee HRIS, data integrity, HR budgets, and develop a scalable HR operating model.
• Collaborate with Health & Safety functions to ensure workforce compliance with safety standards, maintain competency records, and integrate H&S considerations into HR processes.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in developing and shaping HR functions from the ground up.
• Proven ability to establish effective HR strategies, processes, policies, and infrastructure aligned with business growth.
• Strong leadership qualities in balancing strategic vision with hands-on operational execution.
• Previous experience working within a manufacturing environment.