Human Resources Operations Specialist

Job Title: HR Operations Specialist – Workday

Location:
Chester, UK – 2-3 days onsite

Length: 6 months

Start Date: ASAP

Are you detail‑driven, process‑minded, and confident working with HR data? I’m currently supporting a global leader in the life sciences sector that is looking to bring an HR Data Specialist into their EMEA HR Capability Centre. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys HR operations, Workday, and ensuring data accuracy across multiple markets.

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking organisation where HR excellence, employee experience, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything they do.

As the HR Data Specialist, you’ll play a key role in maintaining accurate employee data within Workday, with a strong focus on time, absence, and leave-of-absence processes. You’ll support employees across EMEA by managing transactions, ensuring compliance, troubleshooting issues, and partnering with HR Advisors, Rewards Specialists, and managers.

This role would suit someone who is highly organised, comfortable with data, and enjoys working in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

• Managing and maintaining all time off, time tracking, and leave of absence transactions in Workday, including approvals and backdated changes.
• Ensuring employee records meet legal, regulatory, and payroll deadlines.
• Acting as a point of contact for employees going on leave, helping support a smooth transition and relaying information to managers when appropriate.
• Following up with managers for return‑to‑work actions across multiple EMEA countries.
• Running Workday reports and updating data to resolve discrepancies.
• Identifying process or system issues and escalating as needed.
• Providing feedback to Rewards Specialists on potential enhancements to leave and time policies.
• Issuing pre‑approved employment letters when needed.
• Handling employee medical information with complete confidentiality.
• Suggesting process improvements and updating documentation and process maps.
• Supporting ad‑hoc projects and contributing to ongoing operational excellence.
• Sharing market insights that help keep internal HR knowledge platforms up to date.

• Experience in time and absence processes within HR operations.
• Strong communication skills with a professional, customer‑focused approach.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, changing environment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong MS Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables.
• Quick learner with the ability to pick up new systems and processes.
• Workday experience (or other HRIS/HCM systems).
• A strong team player with collaborative working style.
• Language skills:
  English is essential. Fluency in German, Spanish, or French is highly desirable.

Interested? Apply now for immediate consideration or contact James Allen on  –

We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. Planet Pharma is an Employment Business providing Global Staffing services.