Job Description

Job Title:

HR & Office Manager

Location:

Corby

Job Type:

Full-time, On-site

Schedule:

Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 5:00pm; Friday, 8:30am - 3:30pm

Salary:

Competitive (based on experience)

Company Overview

Chemence is a leading manufacturer of speciality chemicals and medical devices, producing advanced adhesive technologies for various sectors. We are known for our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and fostering a supportive and high-performance work environment. As we continue to grow, we are looking to bring key business functions in-house, including talent acquisition, to ensure we recruit and retain the best talent in the industry.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR & Office Manager to lead our human resources function and oversee day-to-day office operations. This is a dual-role position combining strategic HR management with the practicalities of running a busy office environment. A key focus of this role will be bringing all recruitment in-house -- identifying talent gaps, headhunting candidates, building talent pipelines, and leading end-to-end recruitment for all departments. The ideal candidate will be confident in their ability to attract, assess, and hire high-quality candidates across all functions, from operational to senior-level roles.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources & Recruitment (Primary Focus)

Full-Cycle Recruitment:

Take ownership of all recruitment activities including drafting job descriptions, advertising roles, sourcing and headhunting candidates, conducting interviews, and managing the selection process.

Strategic Hiring:

Work closely with department heads to forecast hiring needs and create recruitment plans to support business growth.

Headhunting & Talent Sourcing:

Proactively identify and approach passive candidates using platforms such as LinkedIn Recruiter, CV databases, and industry networks.

Onboarding & Induction:

Develop and manage onboarding programmes that ensure new employees are welcomed, trained, and integrated into the business effectively.

Employer Branding:

Promote Chemence as an employer of choice by developing content and campaigns to support recruitment marketing efforts.

HR Compliance:

Maintain up-to-date policies and ensure adherence to UK employment law and company procedures.

Employee Relations:

Support and advise on disciplinary, grievance, absence, and performance management matters, maintaining clear records of ER cases.

Performance Management:

Oversee and manage performance appraisal systems to foster a culture of high performance and accountability.

Training & Development:

Identify training needs, source external providers, and manage in-house development initiatives to enhance employee skillsets.

HR Administration:

Maintain and update the HRIS, employee records, contracts, and personnel files with a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.

HR Reporting:

Prepare and present HR metrics and reports to senior leadership, highlighting trends and actionable insights.

Office Management & Administration

Facilities Oversight:

Manage the general upkeep of the office including maintenance, cleanliness, H&S compliance, security, and liaison with contractors and service providers.

Administrative Support:

Provide high-level administrative and PA support to the senior management team including diary management, travel arrangements, meeting coordination, and documentation.

Process Management:

Oversee implementation and upkeep of SOPs, ensuring internal processes are consistent, efficient, and compliant.

Supplier & Contract Management:

Maintain relationships with office vendors, ensuring cost-effective and reliable services.

Office Culture:

Champion a professional, organised, and positive workplace environment, supporting internal communications and engagement initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

CIPD Level 5 (CIPD Level 3 may be considered).

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field desirable.

At least 5 years' experience in a combined HR and office management role.

Demonstrable experience managing full-cycle recruitment processes, ideally including headhunting.

Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.

Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, and employee relations processes.

Track record of developing and improving internal HR policies and procedures.

Skills & Attributes

Recruitment-Focused:

Proven ability to proactively source, assess, and secure high-quality talent across multiple functions and levels.

Organised & Detail-Oriented:

Exceptional time management and attention to detail; able to juggle multiple responsibilities efficiently.

Communication:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.

IT Proficiency:

Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Excel (including VLOOKUPs, formulas), and familiarity with HRIS software.

Analytical Thinking:

Able to interpret HR metrics and contribute to strategic decision-making.

Discretion & Professionalism:

Comfortable handling confidential and sensitive matters with the utmost discretion.

Adaptability:

Thrives in a dynamic environment and is willing to take initiative and ownership of challenges.

What We Offer

Competitive salary and benefits package

A dynamic working environment with exposure to all levels of the business

Opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning

The chance to build and shape the HR function of a growing company

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your CV along with a brief cover letter highlighting your experience in recruitment and HR leadership.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Corby: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

To be considered for this role, applicants must submit a CV and a Cover Letter outlining their suitability for the role. Applications without a Cover Letter will not be reviewed. This is a full-time, on-site position based at our offices in Corby, Northamptonshire. Hybrid or remote working is not available for this role. Are you able to reliably commute to the office each day?
Experience:

HR: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: HR & Office Manager - Chemence