HR Manager

HR Manager

ARK Pest Control | Orpington, Kent

Salary: £50,000–£55,000 per annum, dependent on experience Location: Orpington, Kent – Office Based Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About ARK Pest Control

ARK Pest Control is an established and growing business operating within the UK pest management industry. With an annual turnover of approximately £10 million and a workforce of over 70 employees, we have built a strong reputation for delivering professional, reliable and high-quality pest management services.

As our business continues to develop, we are seeking an experienced, proactive and commercially focused HR Manager to take ownership of our HR function and work closely with our senior management team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys a hands-on role, thrives in a fast-paced operational environment and wants to make a meaningful contribution to the continued development of a successful business.

The Role

Working alongside our senior management team and departmental heads, the HR Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources across the business.

You will work closely with our external employment law and HR advisory partner, Peninsula , which provides specialist advice and guidance. However, the HR Manager will retain responsibility for the ownership, implementation and continuous improvement of ARK's internal HR processes.

A key part of the role will be ensuring departmental managers consistently follow company policies, meet their people management responsibilities and maintain appropriate standards of performance and accountability.

The successful candidate will combine strong people management skills with a practical, commercially aware approach, supporting both our office-based teams and field-based operational workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage the recruitment process, including job advertisements, candidate screening, interviews and selection.
• Work with departmental managers to identify recruitment requirements and workforce planning needs.
• Oversee employment offers, contracts, induction programmes and onboarding.
• Ensure new employees are effectively integrated into the business.

Employee Relations & HR Compliance

• Act as the primary point of contact for HR matters across the organisation.
• Manage disciplinary, grievance, absence management and capability procedures.
• Support managers with employee investigations, formal meetings and appropriate documentation.
• Work alongside Peninsula to ensure employment practices comply with current UK employment legislation.
• Maintain and regularly review employment contracts, company policies, procedures and employee records.
• Take ownership of internal HR procedures, ensuring they are implemented consistently across all departments.
• Ensure managers understand and fulfil their responsibilities in relation to employee management, compliance and company policies.

Performance Management & Employee Development

• Develop and coordinate employee performance reviews and appraisal processes.
• Work with management to establish performance improvement plans and employee action plans.
• Support departmental managers in addressing performance concerns and recognising achievements.
• Identify employee training, development and progression opportunities.
• Help establish clear expectations, accountability and consistent management standards across the business.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of agreed employee action plans.

HR Ownership, Management Accountability & Continuous Improvement

• Take responsibility for the effective operation and development of ARK's internal HR function.
• Ensure HR policies, procedures and management processes are consistently applied across the organisation.
• Work proactively with departmental heads to improve people management standards and address areas of underperformance.
• Identify weaknesses or inconsistencies in existing HR practices and implement practical improvements.
• Use Peninsula as a specialist advisory resource while maintaining internal ownership and accountability for HR activities.
• Support senior management in developing a positive, professional and performance-driven workplace culture.

HR Strategy & Business Support

• Work closely with the senior management team to support business objectives and organisational development.
• Provide practical HR guidance to managers, helping them make confident and informed decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR systems, procedures and operational efficiency.
• Promote a positive, professional and accountable working environment.
• Contribute to the longer-term development of ARK's people management strategy as the business continues to grow.

About You

We are looking for a confident and approachable HR professional who can balance the needs of employees with the commercial requirements of a growing business.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an HR Manager, HR Business Partner or senior HR advisory role.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience managing disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance management processes.
• Confident working directly with senior management and departmental heads.
• Experience supporting recruitment, employment contracts and employee development.
• Ability to take ownership of HR processes and hold managers accountable for their implementation.
• Experience producing and interpreting HR management information and performance reports.
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters professionally.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach with sound judgement and attention to detail.
• Comfortable taking ownership of HR responsibilities in a busy operational business.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or above, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience within pest control, facilities management, property services, maintenance or another field-based service industry.
• Experience working alongside external HR and employment law advisers.
• Experience developing performance-related bonus schemes and management reporting.

Previous pest control industry experience is not essential . We are particularly interested in candidates who understand the challenges of managing a workforce that includes both office-based employees and mobile operational teams.

What We Offer

• Salary of £50,000–£55,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
• The opportunity to take ownership of the HR function within an established and growing business.
• Direct involvement with senior management and business decision-making.
• Support from Peninsula, our external HR and employment law advisory partner.
• A varied and rewarding role with the opportunity to influence company culture, employee development and business performance.
• A professional, supportive working environment based at our Orpington office.
• The opportunity to develop and improve HR processes as the business continues to grow.
• Health care package.
• Company Car.

Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person