Hr Adviser in Preston, Lancashire

A growing, multi-site industrial management business is looking for a confident, pragmatic People & HR Advisor to join its People team. This hands-on generalist role owns day-to-day operational HR—focusing on complex employee relations, coaching managers, and supporting payroll—across four operational sites.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Head of People, you will be responsible for:

• Employee relations: Lead complex ER cases — disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and performance — from investigation through to resolution.
• Coaching: Coach and develop managers, and deliver internal training on absence management, probation, performance conversations and disciplinary procedures.
• Absence management: Manage long-term absence, Occupational Health referrals, reasonable adjustments and return-to-work planning.
• Payroll support: Support weekly and monthly payroll — starters, leavers, absence, overtime and statutory payments — and resolve queries with the external payroll provider.
• HR administration: Maintain accurate, confidential HRIS records and promote consistent HR practice across all sites.

ABOUT YOU

• Qualified: CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent).
• Experienced: Proven generalist HR Advisor experience, independently managing complex ER cases end to end.
• Operationally minded: Background in an operational, site-based environment — manufacturing, recycling, waste, logistics or engineering.
• Legally fluent: Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance and HR best practice.
• Influential: Confident coaching, advising and appropriately challenging managers at all levels.
• Personally credible: Highly organised, discreet, resilient and solutions-focused, with sound judgement.
• Mobile: Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to all four operational sites.