HR Advisor

Barkers Northallerton Ltd; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative culture

Growth opportunities

Meaningful impact

Job summary

Barker's Canterbury is seeking a Human Resource Advisor to support leaders and employees across the business. This role blends operational HR with people development to strengthen leadership capability, employee engagement, and organisational effectiveness.

You’ll lead recruitment and onboarding, design training, coordinate performance reviews, and contribute to a positive workplace culture while driving HR process improvements.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in HR or Organisational Development.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in an HR Advisor, HR Generalist or similar role.
• Consultative and supportive approach with strong coaching and feedback skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills across all levels of the organisation.
• Solutions-focused, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Discretion with sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR advice & employment relations support to managers and employees.
• Lead recruitment processes and onboarding.
• Coordinate learning & development initiatives and staff training.
• Oversee performance management coordination and continuous feedback processes.
• Contribute to culture & employee engagement initiatives and wellbeing.
• Support organisational development and continuous improvement of HR processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with unions and employee representatives.

Skills

Coaching & feedback

Relationship-building

Problem-solving mindset

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

HR or Organisational Development degree

Job description

Are you passionate about building high-performing teams, developing talent, and creating exceptional employee experiences?

Do you enjoy partnering with managers, coaching through people challenges, and driving initiatives that make a real impact on workplace culture?

If so, we'd love to hear from you.

For over 50 years, Barker’s has been creating delicious innovative products, driven by quality and excellence, and our people are at the heart of our success. The Barker's Way isn’t just about work; it’s about working together to create a thriving, sustainable business where creativity and collaboration flourish.

At Barker’s, we believe in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee is encouraged to grow and succeed. We are excited to be searching for a Human Resource Advisor to join our Human Resource team.

What you'll be doing

As our HR Advisor, reporting to the HR Manager, you will play a key role in supporting leaders and employees across the business. This is a varied role that combines operational HR with people development initiatives, helping to strengthen leadership capability, employee engagement, organisational effectiveness, and the delivery of Barker's people strategy.

Your responsibilities will include

• HR Advice & Employment Relations: Provide expert advice and support to managers and employees across a broad range of people matters, including employment relations, performance management, coaching conversations, talent development, and policy interpretation.
• Recruitment & Onboarding: Lead recruitment processes, ensuring excellent candidate & onboarding experience, while supporting and upskilling managers.
• Learning & Development: Partner with managers and leaders to identify skill gaps and design appropriate training and development programs. Coordinate staff training and maintain accurate training records and reporting. Develop and lead trainings within HR topics to employees and leaders across the business.
• Performance management: Coordinate performance & development review cycle and help managers implement continuous feedback models.
• Culture & Employee engagement: Contribute to initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, inclusion, and a positive workplace culture.
• Organisational Development & Continuous Improvement: Lead and support HR projects and organisational initiatives. Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and practices to enhance the employee experience and support business performance. Contribute to change management and communication activities associated with people initiatives.
• Industrial Relations: Maintain strong relationships with unions and employee representatives.

What We’re Looking For

• A tertiary qualification in HR or Organisational Development.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an HR Advisor, HR Generalist or similar people-focused role.
• A consultative and supportive approach with strong coaching and feedback skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish credibility and trust across all levels of the organisation.
• A practical, solutions-focused & problem-solving-mindset.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• High attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Why Barkers?

• Innovative & Collaborative Culture: Be part of a forward-thinking team that embraces creativity, teamwork, and shared success.

• Growth Opportunities: We invest in your professional development and career advancement.

• Meaningful Impact: Play a key role in shaping our people practices, developing talent, and supporting a positive workplace culture.

If you're excited by this opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Barker’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.