Head of HR

Job title: Head of HR

Location: Telford, with occasional travel to Bristol

Reporting to: HR Director

Contract: 40 hrs, Perm/Full Time

About the Company

Rheinmetall Defence UK Limited (RDUK) was established in 2009 to strengthen its presence in the UK defence market, delivering advanced solutions to enhance the capabilities of the UK's armed forces. RDUK leads the BOXER Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme and is partnered on the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank. With a growing workforce, RDUK reflects Rheinmetall's global success in the UK market.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Head of HR to lead the delivery of our people strategy and provide operational HR leadership across the organisation.

Reporting directly to HR Director, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for leading and developing HR team, ensuring the effective delivery of HR services, and driving people initiatives that support organisational performance and business objectives.

The role will ensure that the HR Operational team and processes run efficiently, that employees are well-supported through business practices, processes and initiatives, and that the business remains compliant with all employment regulations.

They will be a credible and influential leader who can build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, line managers, and trade union representatives.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and manage the HR Operational Team, setting clear priorities and ensuring high-quality service delivery across all HR activities
• Drive consistency, accuracy, and continuous improvement in HR operations
• Overseeing the design, implementation, and periodic review of HR policies to ensure they remain legally compliant, up-to-date, and aligned with best practice
• Leading on complex employee relations cases within a unionised manufacturing environment
• Build and maintain effective working relationship with Trade Union representatives, ensuring open communication and constructive dialog
• Support with negotiations, consultations, and collective agreements in line with company policy and legal requirements
• Support managers and HR Business Partners in managing performance issues and implementing improvement plans
• Overseeing salary benchmarking activities and conduct workforce analysis to support equitable, competitive, and evidence-based reward decisions
• Drive effective and data driven workforce and headcount planning
• Utilising HR metrics, management information, and data analysis to inform decision-making, identify trends, and recommend improvements
• Ensure HR systems, data and reporting processes are robust, accurate and support strategic analysis and planning.
• Continuously assess market trends, look at recruitment and retention trends and ensure that the benefits and reward strategies are implemented across the business.
• Ensure HR Business Partners are aligned with business priorities and objectives
• Support HR initiatives such as wellbeing, EDI and STEM

• Minimum CIPD Level 5 or equivalent
• Significant HR Experience within a manufacturing environment
• Strong Operational HR background with a hand-on approach
• In-depth knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practices
• Experience in managing multi-site, blue collar workforce.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast paced, high demand environment
• Strong, pragmatic and influential leadership

Rheinmetall strives to be an employer of choice and to foster a culture in which our employees are supported to build a career they can be proud.

Through our contracts to deliver world-class products and support services, we offer great opportunities for personal development and career advancement via specialist technical roles, essential support functions, and broader leadership positions.

In addition, Rheinmetall offer:

• Competitive salaries reviewed each year against market rates
• Annual bonus incentive scheme 
• Employer pension contributions up to 8%
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Life assurance cover
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Health cash plan
• Salary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work and electric vehicles schemes
• Access to high street and gym discounts and cashback
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits

Contact Person: Iwona Kurpiewska