HR Advisor

Role: HR Advisor
Location: Preston Head Office, with regular travel to our operational sites
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Reporting to: Head of People

Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, operational environment?
We're looking for a confident, proactive and approachable People & HR Advisor to join our growing People function at Recycling Lives Services.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR generalist who enjoys getting involved, building relationships and making a real difference across a business.

Working closely with our Head of People, you'll take ownership of employee relations matters, coach and support managers, contribute to payroll processes and help shape a positive, high-performing workplace culture.

We're looking for someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, providing practical HR advice and confidently managing complex people matters from start to finish.

If you're passionate about people, commercially minded and enjoy working in an environment where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

About Recycling Lives Services
Recycling Lives Services is not a typical recycling company. Since 2008, the business has been structurally built around social value, employing people from disadvantaged backgrounds, partnering with the justice system to reduce reoffending, and delivering environmental excellence at scale. The social mission is not a layer added on top of commercial activity. It is the reason the business operates in the way it does.

As a certified B Corp (scoring 103.5 against a business median of 50.9), Recycling Lives Services generated £42.9m in social value in 2024, achieved a 61% reduction in CO2 emissions, and diverted 97% of waste from landfill. 15% of our team have been welcomed through our rehabilitation programmes, and only 6% of people we support reoffend — compared to a national average of over 25%.

We operate UK-wide across construction, manufacturing, retail, utilities and public sector markets, offering total waste management, WEEE recycling, and specialist hazardous waste services.

Our PACE values underpin how we work and the culture we are building across the business: Passion – we care about what we do; Accountability – we take responsibility; Collaboration – we work together respectfully; and Excellence – we aim high. We look for people who share these values and want to make a positive contribution to our business, our customers and the communities we support.

What You'll Be Doing
This is a varied, hands-on role with the opportunity to make a genuine impact across our business.
Employee Relations & HR Advisory
• Take ownership of a broad range of employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and performance matters.
• Lead workplace investigations, prepare reports and support formal hearings.
• Provide confident, practical and legally compliant HR advice to managers.
• Manage long-term absence cases, including Occupational Health referrals and return-to-work arrangements.
• Support organisational change, consultation and restructuring processes.
Coaching & Developing Managers
• Provide hands-on coaching and guidance to managers, particularly those newly promoted into people management roles.
• Develop and deliver practical internal training on core people management responsibilities.
• Build management confidence in handling performance, attendance, probation and employee relations matters.
Operational HR & Payroll
• Be a trusted HR contact for employees and managers across our four operational sites.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, probation, employee development and offboarding.
• Assist with weekly and monthly payroll preparation, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
• Maintain accurate employee records and support the consistent application of HR policies and procedures.
People, Culture & Continuous Improvement
• Work alongside the Head of People to support delivery of our people strategy.
• Contribute to employee engagement, wellbeing and learning initiatives.
• Monitor key people metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Help foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

What We're Looking For
We're looking for an experienced HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, people-focused approach.
You'll need:
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (essential).
• Proven experience in an HR Advisor, People Advisor or similar generalist HR role.
• Strong experience independently managing complex employee relations cases.
• Previous HR experience within an operational environment, such as manufacturing, logistics, recycling, engineering or a similar industry.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law, ACAS guidance and HR best practice.
• Experience coaching and advising managers at different levels.
• Experience supporting payroll administration and HR systems.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Confidence to challenge constructively, make recommendations and manage sensitive situations professionally.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between our operational sites.
Experience within a multi-site SME, delivering management training or using BambooHR would be advantageous.
Above all, we're looking for someone who is approachable, resilient, commercially aware and genuinely passionate about supporting people and managers to succeed.

What We Offer
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Company pension (5% employee / 3% employer).
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free financial wellbeing support.
• Weekly fruit boxes.
• Healthcare Cash Plan.*
• Cycle to Work Scheme.*
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.*
• The opportunity to be part of a certified B Corp delivering meaningful social and environmental impact.

Benefits marked with an asterisk are subject to eligibility criteria and qualifying service.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership, influence positive change and play a key part in developing our people and culture, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and become part of a business where people, purpose and performance go hand in hand.

Recycling Lives Services is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.