Head of Human Resources

Head of Human Resources

Do you have a track record of leading large-scale HR operations, engaging blue-collar and frontline teams, and influencing senior leaders to drive meaningful change?

Are you confident delivering transformation in fast-paced, multi-site environments — balancing commercial imperatives with a strong commitment to culture, engagement, and values-led leadership?

Have you shaped people strategies that not only deliver business performance but also strengthen trust and belonging across diverse workforces?

MacGregor Black is proud to partner with a major UK employer, a multi-site, operationally complex and people-driven organisation in the search for a Head of HR. This is a critical leadership role within the HR function, responsible for driving a consistent, commercially aligned, and people-centred approach to business partnering.

As Head of HR, you’ll lead and develop a team of HR Business Partners supporting large-scale, blue-collar and operational divisions across the UK.

You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, ensuring HR is positioned as both a strategic enabler and a hands-on operational partner. Your leadership will help shape a culture of accountability, engagement, and performance — from boardroom to shop floor.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the HR team to deliver high-impact, consistent support across all operational sites.
• Partner with executive and operational leadership to design and deliver people strategies that drive productivity, engagement, and sustainable growth.
• Act as a strategic advisor on organisational design, workforce planning, succession, and capability development.
• Champion employee engagement across a large blue-collar workforce, embedding a culture of inclusion, safety, and values-led leadership.
• Provide expert guidance on complex ER issues, union engagement, and collective consultation, ensuring compliance and pragmatic risk management.
• Lead and support large-scale change initiatives — including restructures, TUPE, and transformation programmes — ensuring people experience and communication remain front and centre.
• Leverage HR data and analytics to track impact, identify trends, and inform business decisions.
• Coach, mentor and empower HR Business Partners and regional HR teams to build confidence, capability, and consistency across the function.
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and policies, aligning operational excellence with strategic objectives.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership or business partnering role within a large-scale, multi-site, blue-collar environment (e.g. logistics, manufacturing, distribution, or services).
• Proven ability to partner with operational and executive teams to deliver measurable, commercially focused HR outcomes.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law, employee relations, and unionised environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading major change programmes (restructures, TUPE, transformation).
• Strategic, analytical and data-driven — able to balance insight with pragmatism.
• Inspirational leader with the ability to develop high-performing HR teams and influence at all levels.
• Resilient, values-driven and committed to creating workplaces where people thrive and businesses succeed.

For more information, contact Alice Redmond today.