Are you ready to be the first person managers turn to when something people-related lands on their desk? Do you want a role where you're trusted with real casework early, with an experienced People Manager alongside you as you build?

This is an opportunity with a long-established, family-owned group operating across several divisions from a central support base in Carlisle. It's a business with genuine heritage and ambitions for growth, and a People team that is visible and well regarded across the organisation. You'll report to the People Manager and take first-line responsibility for your own allocated divisions, so you'll get to know your managers properly rather than firefighting across the whole business. This one is fully site-based at the Carlisle head office, with occasional travel out to other sites, so it will suit someone who genuinely enjoys being in the office every day and working shoulder to shoulder with a team.

The Role

You'll report to and support the People Manager in delivering an efficient, effective People service, making sure the advice reaching managers is practical, legal and compliant.

Employee relations and advisory

• Act as the first line contact for line managers and employees across your divisions on all people matters, including absence management, grievances and disciplinaries
• Partner with business managers, with support from the People Manager, to coach them through a range of people practices so they're equipped to identify, address and resolve issues themselves
• Support managers on the performance management agenda, with a focus on coaching, performance improvement and development
• Maintain your own up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and ACAS best practice

Projects, policy and engagement

• Coordinate the implementation of people change projects, keeping employees engaged, communicated with and supported through the change
• Support the development of People policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law
• Make sure new or revised policies are cascaded to the relevant teams in good time
• Coordinate and facilitate employee committees and other employment meetings to promote engagement and strong employee relations

Recruitment and onboarding

• Support and coordinate recruitment across all relevant vacancies, making sure a robust search and selection process is in place
• Assist with the development and implementation of onboarding and training programmes

Data and transactional support

• Keep data within the people database and personnel files accurate and reliable, so the team can analyse it properly
• Extract and prepare People data to help the business spot opportunities for improvement and measure growth
• Support the People Data Administrator with day-to-day transactional activity, including ad hoc payroll cover during busy periods and leave
• Work in line with company and group policies, including those covering safety, health and environment

You'll Flourish if You Have

• CIPD qualification, or you're working towards Level 5
• Confidence as a communicator, with the interpersonal skills to build credibility quickly
• A proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information properly
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Analytical ability and real attention to detail
• Competence with HR databases and Microsoft Office
• The ability to prioritise and work to specific timeframes
• The credibility to influence people-related decisions
• Previous experience in a People/HR role is desirable
• A full UK driving licence, as the role includes occasional travel to other sites

You'll also fit well here if you're someone who treats people with respect and kindness as standard, brings a can-do attitude, looks for ways to do things a bit better each time, and does the right thing even when the quick option is tempting. That's genuinely how this business operates.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• £30,000 – £35,000 depending on experience
• Annual salary review every September
• Minimum of 25 days annual leave
• Company pension scheme after three months
• Generous company sick pay
• Health cash plan covering optical, dental, physiotherapy and more
• Employee Assistance Programme with counselling and wellbeing support
• Flexible life assurance and critical illness cover at preferential rates
• Staff discount on selected products
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a members' discount and cashback platform covering thousands of brands
• Salary finance benefits including savings schemes, preferential rate loans and wage advances
• Role-specific training and ongoing development identified through an annual appraisal programme

Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification. Reasonable adjustments are available for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.