HR People Partner

We are partnering with a large, well-established organisation to recruit a HR People Partner to join a fast-paced operational site. This is a varied and highly visible role within the wider People function, offering the opportunity to support both day-to-day HR operations and wider people initiatives that drive engagement, performance, and culture. We are looking for someone who is adaptable, proactive, and comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift. The successful candidate will enjoy balancing operational HR support with strategic people-focused activity, building strong relationships across the business and providing practical, commercially focused advice. This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same. You will work closely with site leaders and managers to support a positive, high-performing working environment while contributing to ongoing improvement initiatives across the organisation. This is a contract role for around 3 months, offering hybrid working, with 1–2 days per week from home, alongside flexible working arrangements such as the option of a four-day week. Duties and Responsibilities * Build strong and credible relationships with operational leaders to understand business priorities and support delivery of the people agenda * Act as a trusted HR partner to managers, providing pragmatic and solutions-focused advice across a broad range of people matters * Manage employee relations casework including absence, conduct, grievance and performance matters, ensuring a fair, consistent and commercially balanced approach * Adapt quickly to changing business needs and support managers in a fast-moving operational environment * Analyse HR data and people metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities to improve performance and engagement * Coach and support managers to build confidence and capability in people management * Support workforce planning, organisational change and operational people initiatives * Contribute to employee engagement activity and help foster an inclusive and positive workplace culture * Work collaboratively with employee representatives and support consultation processes where required * Support recruitment activity and talent pipeline planning across operational teams * Ensure performance management processes are effectively embedded and completed within required timescales * Contribute to HR projects, process improvements and wider organisational initiatives * Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and ensure compliance across all HR activity Essential Criteria * Proven experience within a generalist HR role in a fast-paced operational environment * Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage changing priorities and a varied workload * Strong working knowledge of core HR disciplines including employee relations, engagement, workforce planning and performance management * Confident managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters * Ability to interpret HR data and use insights to support practical decision-making * Strong communication and influencing skills with the confidence to build relationships and challenge constructively where required * Organised, proactive and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively Desirable Criteria * CIPD qualified or working towards * Experience working within a unionised environment * Exposure to learning and development or talent initiatives * Familiarity with HR systems and reporting tools What’s on Offer * A varied and hands-on HR role with genuine opportunity to make an impact * Exposure to both operational and strategic HR activity within a large organisation * Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and influence the people agenda * Hybrid working model with flexibility, including a four-day week option * Strong focus on learning, development and career progression * Supportive and collaborative working environment with involvement in meaningful people projects