HR & Payroll Manager (Standalone)

HR Manager

£40,000 – £48,000

Monday to Friday | 37.5 hours per week

Office-based role

Maidstone, Kent

Overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR and payroll professional to take full ownership of a standalone people function within a well-established manufacturing business that is currently strengthening its structure following a period of change and development.

This position works closely with senior leadership and plays a key role in ensuring the organisation’s people processes are effective, compliant, and aligned with operational needs across a mixed workforce environment.

The role would suit someone currently working as a standalone HR Generalist who is ready to step into a broader position with increased responsibility, autonomy, and leadership exposure.

Key Responsibilities

Take full responsibility for HR and payroll activity across the business, supported by an HR & Payroll Assistant

Act as a key contact for senior leaders, providing practical and commercially focused HR advice

Contribute to leadership discussions by providing insight on workforce trends, reporting, and people matters

Improve and develop HR systems, reporting processes, and data accuracy to support efficiency and compliance

Manage a range of employee relations matters including absence, conduct, grievance, and performance issues

Support and guide managers in handling people issues effectively and consistently

Ensure fair, compliant and structured approaches to all employee relations activity

Review and support benefits and reward arrangements to aid retention and engagement

Oversee pension and benefits administration with external providers

Ensure accurate monthly payroll processing, delivered operationally by the HR & Payroll Assistant

Support audit activity and maintain strong governance across HR and payroll data

About You

We are looking for someone with experience in a hands-on HR role within a mixed workforce environment, ideally including manufacturing, production, logistics, FMCG, or similar sectors.

You will likely have:

Experience managing employee relations cases independently

A solid background in HR operations, with exposure to payroll processes

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent practical experience

Experience with payroll systems such as Sage 50 (desirable)

Familiarity with HR systems such as BrightHR or similar (advantageous)

A practical, calm and solutions-focused approach

Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels

Confidence balancing operational HR delivery with wider business needs

What’s on Offer

Full responsibility for a standalone HR function with oversight of payroll processes (payroll training can be provided where required)

Direct exposure to senior leadership and involvement in key business decisions

Opportunity to help shape and improve HR processes and structure

A stable organisation that has recently completed a period of change and is now focused on growth and consolidation

Competitive benefits package including pension, salary sacrifice schemes, cycle to work, discounts, long service recognition and more

Genuine opportunity for development as the business evolves

Full responsibility for a standalone HR function with oversight of payroll processes (payroll training can be provided where required)

This role is being handled by Holly Ensoll and Chloe Wadhams, Recruitment Consultant of Business Support for Pearson Whiffin Recruitment.

Not quite the role you are looking for?

Whether you are entry or Executive level, our team of experienced Recruitment specialists can help you with your career. We are Kent’s leading independent consultancy and pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional service to both candidates and clients.

Find us on Facebook @PearsonWhiffinRecruitment and Instagram @PearsonWhiffinRecruitment.

By working with us, you will be helping support charities across Kent; we have raised over £50,000 so far!

Whether you are entry or Executive level, our team of experienced Recruitment specialists can help you with your career. We are Kent’s leading independent consultancy and pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional service to both candidates and clients.

Find us on Facebook @PearsonWhiffinRecruitment and Instagram @PearsonWhiffinRecruitment.

By working with us, you will be helping support charities across Kent; we have raised over £50,000 so far