Senior People & Culture Advisor

Claycliffe Office Park, Whaley Rd, Barnsley S75 1HQ

The Senior People & Culture Advisor delivers high-quality, practical support across the employee lifecycle while contributing to the organisation’s People & Culture strategy. Providing hands‑on guidance to managers on employee relations, policy application, and day‑to‑day people matters, while also supporting strategic activities.

Reporting to the People Manager, the Senior People & Culture Advisor supports recruitment and onboarding, HR data accuracy, and continuous improvement of People & Culture processes. The role also contributes to policy development, people insight, and organisational initiatives that strengthen culture, enhance employee experience, and support long‑term organisational objectives.

• Provide high‑quality, proactive HR advice to managers and employees, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely resolution of people matters.
• Take end‑to‑end ownership of employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, investigation, sickness absence, capability, and performance management processes.
• Coach and upskill managers to build capability and embed strong people leadership across the organisation.
• Act as a visible and influential People & Culture partner within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Support and oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding for key roles, ensuring an excellent candidate and new starter experience.
• Interpret people metrics, identify trends, and provide strategic recommendations to support organisational decision‑making.
• Support the delivery of People & Culture projects and initiatives that enhance employee experience, capability, and engagement.
• Develop and review People & Culture policies, ensuring they remain up to date, legally compliant, and aligned with best practice.
• Maintain high standards of data integrity within HR systems, particularly Workday, supporting reporting, insights, and system improvements.
• Provide guidance on learning and development needs and help coordinate tailored development activity.
• Build strong, credible partnerships across all departments and at all levels of the business.
• Champion the company culture, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Significant experience in an HR advisory or generalist role, ideally at senior advisory level.
• Strong track record of independently managing complex employee relations cases.
• Experience coaching and developing managers.
• Experience supporting HR activity within a fast‑paced manufacturing or operational environment.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to People & Culture projects and process improvements.

Education and training

• CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Skills, abilities and specialist knowledge

• Strong and up‑to‑date knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills at all levels.
• Ability to apply sound judgement, navigate complex situations, and provide practical, balanced solutions.
• Strong personal resilience and confidence to challenge appropriately, uphold confidentiality, and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and produce meaningful insights.
• High level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.
• Proficient in HR systems (ideally Workday) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Confident in supporting HRIS reporting, data accuracy, and system improvements.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to work autonomously.

• Excellent company benefits
• Contributory Pension
• A role within a growing company with real purpose