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Senior People & Culture Advisor

Ocean OpticsOcean Optics·Optical Sensing and Spectroscopy

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Posted

17 days

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About the role

Our team members are passionate, driven and up for a challenge. If you have ambition to make a difference, then please read on. 

This Senior People and Culture Advisor role can be based at either our Barnsley or Newcastle office. Part‑time working over four days will also be considered.

Purpose of the role

The Senior People & Culture Advisor delivers high‑quality, practical support across the employee lifecycle while contributing to the organisation’s People & Culture strategy. Providing hands‑on guidance to managers on employee relations, policy application, and day‑to‑day people matters, while also supporting strategic activities.

Reporting to the People Manager, the Senior People & Culture Advisor supports recruitment and onboarding, HR data accuracy, and continuous improvement of People & Culture processes. The role also contributes to policy development, people insight, and organisational initiatives that strengthen culture, enhance employee experience, and support long‑term organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide high‑quality, proactive HR advice to managers and employees, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely resolution of people matters.
  • Take end-to-end ownership of employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, investigation, sickness absence, capability, and performance management processes.
  • Coach and upskill managers to build capability and embed strong people leadership across the organisation.
  • Act as a visible and influential People & Culture partner within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
  • Support and oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding for key roles, ensuring an excellent candidate and new starter experience.
  • Interpret people metrics, identify trends, and provide strategic recommendations to support organisational decision‑making.
  • Support the delivery of People & Culture projects and initiatives that enhance employee experience, capability, and engagement.
  • Develop and review People & Culture policies, ensuring they remain up to date, legally compliant, and aligned with best practice.
  • Maintain high standards of data integrity within HR systems, particularly Workday, supporting reporting, insights, and system improvements.
  • Provide guidance on learning and development needs and help coordinate tailored development activity.
  • Build strong, credible partnerships across all departments and at all levels of the business.
  • Champion the company culture, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Relevant Experience

  • Significant experience in an HR advisory or generalist role, ideally at senior advisory level.
  • Strong track record of independently managing complex employee relations cases.
  • Experience coaching and developing managers.
  • Experience supporting HR activity within a fast‑paced manufacturing or operational environment.
  • Demonstrable experience contributing to People & Culture projects and process improvements.

Education and Training

  • CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent experience.
  • Evidence of continuous professional development.

Skills, abilities and specialist knowledge

  • Strong and up‑to‑date knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice.
  • Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills at all levels.
  • Ability to apply sound judgement, navigate complex situations, and provide practical, balanced solutions.
  • Strong personal resilience and confidence to challenge appropriately, uphold confidentiality, and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and produce meaningful insights.
  • High level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.
  • Proficient in HR systems (ideally Workday) and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Confident in supporting HRIS reporting, data accuracy, and system improvements.
  • Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to work autonomously.

#Advanced

If you're excited by this opportunity, we'd love to hear from you! Please tell us about yourself by uploading your CV. 

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Aplyr's read

Ocean Optics is a leader in optical sensing and spectroscopy, attracting talent interested in cutting-edge technology and precision manufacturing.

Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

  • Strong focus on innovation in optical sensing and spectroscopy.
  • Diverse roles indicate opportunities across technical and operational functions.
  • International presence with roles like Technical Sales for the French market.

What to watch

  • Limited public information about company culture and employee satisfaction.
  • Niche industry may limit career mobility outside of optical sensing.
  • Potential challenges in scaling operations due to specialized product focus.

Why Ocean Optics

  • Specializes in the development of advanced optical sensing solutions.
  • Offers a range of roles from technical to operational, appealing to diverse skill sets.
  • Engages in precision manufacturing, requiring highly skilled technical staff.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

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About Ocean Optics

OCEAN OPTICS BV specializes in the development and manufacturing of optical sensing solutions, particularly in the field of spectroscopy.

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