Are you an experienced HR Systems professional ready to optimise HR technology, take ownership of complex issues, and step into a leadership pipeline within a dynamic retail environment? Do you thrive on ensuring robust, efficient HR systems that support our business and colleagues in a collaborative, winning team?
If yes, Wickes is the place for you! We're a digitally led, service-enabled organisation with a project in every home.
Our People team seeks a HR Systems Manager to play a critical role in the administration, maintenance, and operational integrity of our core HR systems. You'll ensure effective configuration and support, act as a key escalation point, provide expert guidance, drive continuous improvement, and work closely with the HR Systems Product Owner, HR System Analysts, HR Services, and key suppliers. This role offers a clear opportunity to develop your skills into a full HR Systems Manager role within a Product Led environment.
This is a full time position with 3 days working at our Northampton site on a weekly basis.
Key Accountabilities:
System Administration & Health:
- Lead HR system configurations to meet evolving operational needs.
- Define, manage, and audit user roles, permissions, and security access, ensuring data integrity.
- Direct optimisation and troubleshooting of system workflows and interfaces for efficiency and accuracy.
- Proactively monitor system health; identify, investigate, and ensure resolution of issues and defects, overseeing technical content.
Operational Support, Escalation & Supplier Management:
- Oversee identification and raising of system issues/defects with suppliers per agreed procedures.
- Act as primary supplier escalation point for significant operational issues, driving effective resolution.
- Manage internal technical escalations for system performance and functionality with decisive leadership.
- Serve as key escalation point and decision-maker for HR System Analysts on complex system matters.
- Provide expert system support and strategic guidance to the wider HR Services team.
- Manage supplier relationships and lead operational reviews focusing on performance and SLAs.
Release & Change Management Support:
- Support the Product Owner in technical implementation of system releases/updates, providing senior technical expertise for testing, deployment stability, and post-release monitoring.
- Champion and support change management for system updates with expert technical guidance and user provisioning oversight.
Collaboration, System Improvement & Reporting Strategy:
- Strategically advise the Product Owner on defects, share operational feedback, and suggest system improvements based on performance and user trends.
- Identify and champion opportunities for significant process improvements within HR systems.
- Oversee development and delivery of accurate operational reports and insightful analytics.
- Contribute significantly to HR systems roadmapping (feasibility, lifecycle, risk, impact).
- Collaborate on strategic HR/technical projects (including agile) with senior subject matter expertise.
What We’re Looking For:
You'll be a proactive, solutions-focused Systems Manager passionate about optimising HR technology, bringing:
- Deep Technical Expertise: Proven track record managing, administering, and configuring complex HRIS (e.g; SAP/Oracle configuration), with strong grasp of workflows, security, and integrations.
- HR Process Understanding: Solid grasp of core HR processes and how technology enhances HR service delivery.
- Leadership & Guidance: Demonstrable experience providing expert guidance, critical system decisions, and acting as a key escalation point, ideally mentoring HR System Analysts.
- Effective Supplier Management: Strong experience managing HR system supplier relationships, operational reviews, and escalations.
- Strong Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Excellent ability to swiftly identify root causes of system issues/defects and raise them effectively.
- Excellent Collaboration & Communication: Outstanding skills in building relationships and engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders (Product Owner, technical teams, HR, users, suppliers).
- Project & Change Experience: Experience providing technical expertise to HR/IT projects (including agile) and supporting system changes.
- Data & Reporting Capabilities: Proficiency in data management, ensuring data integrity, and developing insightful system reporting.
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- Competitive bonus
- Private Medical Healthcare
- Contributory pension scheme
- Colleague discount
- Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
We have a People Services team in Northampton, where this role is based. We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.
But it is the Wickes’ culture that is considered its best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
