People Partner, Widnes

Apply for the People Partner role at Michael Page.

This role is a hands‑on People Partner supporting a transport operation, coaching managers, handling ER, and improving engagement and retention across drivers and operational teams. It offers exposure to a fast‑paced, PE‑backed business undergoing growth and change, with travel to multiple sites and the opportunity to make a real impact.

This is a UK‑based, multi‑site industrial business with a large operational and transport workforce. They provide essential services to a range of commercial and public sector customers and are backed by private investment. The business is focused on operational growth, efficiency, and improving workforce engagement across its sites.

• Act as a trusted advisor to employees and management on HR‑related topics.
• Act as the dedicated People Partner for the transport and operational workforce.
• Support and coach operational managers on employee relations, performance, and people management.
• Manage ER cases including disciplinaries, grievances, sickness, and conduct issues.
• Support TUPE processes, redundancies, and workforce transitions.
• Lead initiatives to improve driver engagement, retention, and wellbeing.
• Deliver wellbeing presentations and support HR‑related roadshows for new platforms or initiatives.
• Advise on recruitment processes and challenge managers on hiring effectiveness.
• Partner with managers to address operational workforce challenges and develop capability.
• Work collaboratively within the wider People team to support cross‑functional priorities.
• Undertake own HR administration as needed (no dedicated admin support).
• Travel to multiple sites as required to support the operational teams.
• Embed a hands‑on, practical approach in a fast‑paced operational environment.

A successful People Partner should have:

• Strong operational experience, ideally in transport, manufacturing, or frontline environments.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to handle a fast‑paced, sometimes reactive environment.
• Confident in employee relations and managing sensitive workforce issues.
• Skilled at coaching and developing managers to take ownership of people management.
• Pragmatic, hands‑on, and willing to roll up their sleeves.
• Collaborative, able to work effectively within a small People team.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Comfortable working with a diverse workforce, including drivers and operational staff.
• Able to travel regularly and plan visits to multiple sites.
• Focused on engagement, retention, and practical solutions rather than just policy.

• Salary up to £50,000 plus £5,000 car allowance.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension contribution of 3 %.
• Medicash health care scheme.
• Salary sacrifice EV car scheme.
• On‑site parking with access to EV chargers.
• Hybrid working with 3 days in the office (option to do 4 if preferred).
• Some flexibility around travel and school drop‑offs.
• Opportunity to work in a fast‑paced, operational environment with real impact on engagement, ER, and manager development.
• Exposure to a PE‑backed business undergoing growth and change across multiple sites.

• Mid‑Senior level

• Full‑time

• Human Resources
• Manufacturing

If you are ready to take the next step in your Human Resources career, apply now to join the team in Widnes. This role offers a chance to make a real impact within a growing organisation.