HR Lead (Darlaston, GB)

Opportunity Review: Senior HR Officer (Fixed-Term) at ZF Lemforder UK Limited, Darlaston

ZF Lemforder UK Limited in Darlaston is offering a compelling 12-month fixed-term opportunity for a Senior HR Officer. This role presents a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in a dynamic, unionized manufacturing environment and contribute to significant HR initiatives. If you're a proactive and experienced HR professional seeking a hands-on role with direct impact, this position warrants serious consideration for your career development.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Impactful Project Work: This is not just a standard HR role; it's an opportunity to be part of an "exciting project/team." This suggests a chance to engage with novel challenges and contribute to tangible improvements within the HR function and the wider business.
• Hands-On Experience in a Complex Environment: The role emphasizes a "hands-on approach" with "proactive engagement with employees at all levels." Working within a fast-paced, unionized manufacturing setting provides invaluable experience in managing employee relations, collective agreements, and navigating the unique dynamics of such environments.
• Leadership and Development: You will have the chance to "supervise HR Apprentice and Training Officer," offering a valuable mentoring and leadership experience. This is an excellent avenue for developing your coaching and people development skills.
• Broad HR Scope: The responsibilities are comprehensive, covering fundamental HR processes (absence management, recruitment, onboarding), employee relations, continuous improvement, manager coaching, grievance/disciplinary procedures, data analysis, employee engagement, and compliance. This breadth of experience is highly beneficial for career progression.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with operational teams, Finance, and other departments, enhancing your understanding of the business and strengthening your ability to influence and drive change across different functions.
• Competitive Remuneration and Benefits: ZF offers a competitive salary of up to £55,000 per year, a structured work week of 37 hours, a company pension scheme with generous contributions, 27 days of holiday plus statutory days, life assurance, and a health cash plan. These benefits demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and financial security.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Fixed-Term Contract: While the role offers significant experience, it is a 12-month fixed-term contract. Candidates should consider how this aligns with their long-term career goals and if they are seeking a transitional role or an opportunity to gain specific project-based experience.
• Unionized Environment Experience: A strong understanding of HR processes within a unionized setting is crucial. If your experience is primarily in non-unionized environments, be prepared to demonstrate your ability to quickly learn and adapt to collective agreements and the nuances of union relations.
• Proactive and Resilient Mindset: The description highlights the need for "resilience and adaptability, problem-solving and decision-making." This role requires someone who can thrive in a busy, sometimes demanding, manufacturing environment and proactively address challenges.
• CIPD Qualification: While not strictly mandatory, CIPD Level 5 or above is "desirable." Candidates with this qualification will likely have a strong foundation and may find the transition smoother. If you don't hold this, consider it as a future development goal.
• Shop Floor Engagement: The emphasis on working "on the shop floor and build trust" means you'll need to be comfortable and adept at engaging with employees in their working environment, demonstrating empathy and strong interpersonal skills.

Overall, the Senior HR Officer position at ZF Lemforder UK Limited in Darlaston is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious HR professional looking to deepen their expertise in a challenging and rewarding industrial setting. The role offers substantial hands-on experience, leadership potential, and the chance to make a real difference. Carefully assessing how this fixed-term contract fits within your broader career trajectory will be key to maximizing the benefits of this exciting opportunity.