ER Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist
Location: North East, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Leeds, York (4 Days onsite)
Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 + Benefits
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

We're supporting a well-established engineering and manufacturing organisation in Plymouth in their search for an Employee Relations Specialist. This is a newly created position, reflecting the business's commitment to strengthening their on-site HR presence and enhancing employee engagement across the operation.

This is a hands-on, visible role working closely with frontline employees and managers to support effective working relationships, drive positive engagement, and uphold HR best practice. While this position sits within the Employee Relations space, it's not case-management focused instead, you'll be a trusted advisor on the ground, working proactively to support a complex, unionised environment.

• Act as a key point of contact for day-to-day people matters, supporting managers with HR queries and good practice guidance.

• Build strong, influential relationships across teams, acting as a credible partner to operational leadership.

• Support the delivery of HR initiatives that promote engagement, communication, and alignment to company values.

• Work in collaboration with union representatives to maintain open, constructive relationships.

• Support wider HR activity as needed, including policy development, projects, and workforce planning.

• Experienced HR generalist with a strong background in employee relations within a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Confident working on-site in a visible, hands-on role building rapport and credibility on the shop floor is essential.

• Experience working in a unionised setting, with an understanding of how to manage and foster positive trade union relationships.

• Proactive, approachable, and commercially aware.

• CIPD qualification (or working towards) is desirable but not essential.

This is a great opportunity to shape a new role with real impact supporting a high-performing site with a long-term focus on engagement and culture. You'll be part of a supportive HR team and have the chance to grow your remit as the business continues to evolve.