Moving into a Manufacturing HR role

Food and Drink manufacturing, peppered with some2nd tier automotive is my background too. I have to say, I love this sector and I do believe that if you can survive and thrive in this sector, you can take this experience anywhere.

Wot Cass Clothier said ;)

Hi Mark,

Congratulations on your new role!

I have been in manufacturing environments now for about 7 years and there's no doubt it's a challenging environment for HR! It's way out of my comfort zone as well but the reality is that if you are confident about your processes, it can be extremely rewarding at the same time. Unlike many other responses here, I work for a small family-run manufacturing company and I'm the only HR person. My role also encompasses H&S/facilities and I think the great value I get from this is that I'm not just seen as someone to go to when there's an HR problem. If there's one piece of advice I can give, it's to demonstrate that you are there to help and support and to make life easier for managers. This last year, our main HR challenge has been the fact that some of us can work from home and some can't. The divide between factory and office workers has always been there and I have had to work hard to show that we understand that we can't treat everyone equally, but we can work together to find a fair way round these issues. I have one manager in the factory who harks back to the good old days when everyone was just told what to do and flexibility wasn't even a word......

In short, HR work in a manufacturing company is that roller coater cliche where the lows really are low but the highs - when you achieve something, get through to someone, resolve a really difficult problem - are really really high!

Good luck with the next steps :)

I can certainly agree with this response. We are trying to have better engagement and that seems to be happen with White Collar workers. Unfortunately, Blue Collar workers have taken a back seat. Have also found that drive isn't there. We have tried to develop talent, but they want to do their work and go home. Would this be a fair assessment with Performance Management and Talent Development with anyone else?

I worked for an aviation manufacturing company and if you want to learn the ER side of things the high vol disciplinary, grievance, absence is brilliant for your development. Hopefully it is unionised because working with Trade Unions was a blast, we had rows in the hearjngs, cup of tea afterwards. If you can develop a great working relationship and have “corridor” conversations, it can be a less belts and braces approach but getting results. I hated unions before K worked with them, because I was brought up to believe they were all unreasonable and no care for company profitability. I spent 3 years hanging by the seat of my pants. Best job for development by miles. Enjoy it but there’s the odd day of hellishness when you nay want to ditch the job, but they are few and far between if it’s a good place to work. Amazing job loved it. .

Congratulations on your new role!

Congratulations on your new role Mark.

One of my ex-HR Managers once said to me if you can work in HR in manufacturing you can work in any environment! Having spent nearly 10 years working in automotive manufacturing I think she was right. I totally concur with the comments on here, its challenging, fast-paced with great exposure to all aspects of HR, predominantly on the ER side but such a great learning opportunity.

Wishing you all the very best in your new role :)