Business Support Manager

CANSFORD LABORATORIES

Company: Cansford Laboratories (part of Phenna Group)

Location: Cardiff, fully onsite

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Reports to: Managing Director

About Cansford Laboratories

Cansford Laboratories is a specialist drug and alcohol testing laboratory based in Cardiff. Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, we provide toxicology testing that people rely on to make important decisions in family law, social care and the workplace, so accuracy, impartiality and service are at the heart of everything we do. Cansford is part of Phenna Group, a leading testing, inspection and certification group, which gives us the backing of a larger organisation with the pace and personality of a growing SME.

The role

Cansford Laboratories is looking for a Business Support Manager to be the go-to person for people and workplace support on site. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will make sure managers and employees can do their best work in a well-run, engaging and compliant environment.

The main focus is local HR and people support, with a secondary focus on workplace and facilities management. This is not an Executive Assistant role: you will own the people processes and frameworks that help the business grow, working alongside line managers and with professional guidance from Phenna Group HR on more complex matters.

What you'll be doing

•      Act as the first local point of contact for day-to-day people matters, including policy guidance, sickness, return to work, performance processes and employee queries

•      Own and improve people frameworks such as objective setting and performance cycles, skills matrices, succession planning and training coordination

•      Coordinate recruitment and onboarding so every new starter has a consistent, positive joining experience

•      Coach and support managers through performance and employee matters, involving Phenna Group HR where needed

•      Lead employee engagement, culture and learning initiatives, using feedback to drive practical improvements

•      Keep HR records accurate, confidential and well governed, including digitising files and improving data quality

•      Coordinate pay and bonus review processes and people reporting

•      Manage general workplace and facilities, including landlord and supplier relationships and office improvements

What you'll bring

•      Practical HR or people-support experience across the core employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding and supporting managers

•      Sound working knowledge of UK HR practice, and the judgement to know when specialist advice is needed

•      The ability to coach managers and build practical performance, skills and training frameworks

•      Excellent organisation, discretion and attention to detail when managing records, projects and suppliers

•      An approachable, credible and pragmatic style, comfortable working at both a strategic and hands-on level

It would be great if you also have:

•      CIPD qualification (full or part-qualified)

•      Experience combining HR with facilities or office management in an SME

•      Experience with succession planning, engagement surveys, learning programmes or tools such as DISC

•      HRIS or digital HR file implementation experience

•      Experience supporting organisational change or rapid growth

Why Cansford?

This is a genuine opportunity to join Cansford at an important point in its growth, in a role that has been shaped around where the business is heading. You will have real ownership, a visible impact on how the business performs, and the support of Phenna Group behind you.

How to apply

If you'd like to be considered for the Business Support Manager role at Cansford Laboratories, please apply with your CV. Cansford Laboratories and Phenna Group are equal opportunities employers and welcome applications from all backgrounds.