Associate Human Resources Business Partner (Retail)

Knix; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading apparel brand in Ontario is seeking an Associate HR Business Partner to support high-performing retail teams. The role involves working closely with District Managers and store leaders to enhance HR initiatives. Key responsibilities include coaching, onboarding, and ensuring compliance with employment legislation. The ideal candidate has 2–3 years of HR experience and a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or Business. Join an innovative and inclusive team focused on empowerment and community.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Career development opportunities

Equal opportunity employer

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2–3 years of HR experience, with at least 1–2 years supporting retail or hourly employee groups.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation in Canada and/or the United States.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the full employee lifecycle across stores by delivering HR programs.
• Coach store leaders on performance management, communication, and team development.
• Ensure compliance with employment practices in retail stores.

Skills

People-first mindset

Coaching skills

Conflict resolution

Strong judgment

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or Business

CHRP/CHRL designation (or in progress)

Job description

Knix is an award-winning intimate apparel and activewear brand that is re-inventing intimates for real life. Through our innovative products and our engaged community, we are empowering people everywhere to be unapologetically free. Launched in 2013, we are one of the fastest-growing intimate apparel brands in North America and are globally recognized as an innovator within the apparel space. We reach over 3 million customers through our online stores, Knix retail locations across North America and channels such as wholesale and Amazon. We are revolutionizing the apparel industry with our best-in-class customer experience, innovative products and brands Knix and Kt by Knix. Come join us if you are looking for a purpose-driven and authentic career!

At Knix, our People Team is expanding to meet the needs of our rapidly growing retail footprint and we’re looking for an Associate HR Business Partner who is energized by supporting high-performing, people-first retail teams. In this role, you will work closely with District Managers, store leaders and hourly team members to support day-to-day HR needs while helping scale initiatives that keep pace with a fast-moving retail environment.

You will support the full employee lifecycle across our stores by delivering HR programs, coaching leaders, addressing employee concerns, supporting onboarding and development, and ensuring a consistent and positive experience for our retail teams. Key focus areas include performance and coaching, employee relations, staffing and workforce planning, HR and L&D program deployment, retail compliance and employee engagement.

As a core member of the People Team, you will partner with Retail Operations, People Operations, Talent Acquisition and L&D to drive business goals while ensuring our retail employees feel supported, empowered, and set up for success every day.

About You

• You are a hands-on, approachable HR professional with a people-first mindset and a passion for supporting hourly retail employees and leaders.
• You build trust quickly and collaborate effectively with store leaders, retail associates, and cross-functional teams.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and can shift priorities based on business needs.
• You enjoy working on the ground—with stores, with leaders, and with associates—to understand challenges and create practical, scalable solutions.
• You are proactive and resourceful, with strong coaching and listening skills that help leaders develop their teams and navigate employee situations confidently.
• You are excited about building repeatable processes, tools, and resources as our retail network expands.
• You bring strong judgment, discretion, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.

HR Partnership & Coaching

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for assigned retail stores, supporting store leaders and hourly associates on day-to-day HR needs.
• Coach store leaders on performance management, communication, feedback, and team development.
• Support the onboarding and integration of new retail employees to ensure a consistent, supportive start for all team members.
• Partner with retail leaders to foster inclusive, engaged, and high-performing store cultures.

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Support and advise on employee relations matters including conflict resolution, attendance, policy interpretation, and workplace concerns.
• Ensure employment practices in retail stores comply with provincial, state, and federal legislation and align with Knix values and policies.
• Document and support investigations where appropriate, escalating to Senior People Partners when needed.

Talent & Workforce Planning

• Partner with Retail Leaders on scheduling, workforce planning, seasonal staffing needs, and talent movement across the retail network.
• Support the hiring, onboarding, and training of hourly associates in partnership with Talent Acquisition and Retail Operations.
• Maintain awareness of store staffing trends and proactively recommend solutions for retention, staffing gaps, and development needs.

HR Program Deployment

• Implement HR, learning, and engagement programs within stores—ensuring accessibility and adoption among hourly teams.
• Support performance cycles, engagement initiatives, feedback programs, and recognition efforts tailored for retail employees.
• Gather feedback from stores to continuously improve HR initiatives and inform program evolution.

Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement

• Use HR data, store trends, and employee feedback to identify patterns, surface insights, and recommend process improvements.
• Track and support key retail HR metrics such as turnover, attendance, retention, engagement, and staffing.

Team Collaboration

• Partner closely with the other Business Partners to ensure consistent standards and an elevated employee experience across all stores.
• Work collaboratively with the wider People Team on initiatives involving training, communications, policy updates, engagement, and change management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. CHRP/CHRL designation (or in progress) is an asset.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of HR experience, with at least 1–2 years supporting retail or hourly employee groups.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation in Canada and/or the United States (multi-jurisdiction experience is an asset).
• Experience supporting employee relations, store-level coaching, onboarding, performance conversations, and HR program delivery.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced retail environment with agility, resilience, and a continuous improvement mindset.

How we Hire

Our people are what make Knix, Knix! Our people are passionate and have a strong belief in our mission. Our people are naturally curious and ambitious by nature. Employees feel respected and supported at Knix. We take an inclusive and equitable approach offering the same interview experience to every candidate we meet with. Knix is an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate everyone and their intersecting identities. We know and believe that diverse and inclusive teams empower us to make better decisions and inspire innovation so that we can better serve our customers and community. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.