Job Title: HR Advisor
Reports To: HR & Marketing Manager
Location: Welwyn Garden City (Hybrid)
About KANE
We need talented people like you to provide our Essential Instruments with Outstanding Service.
We're an award-winning family business you've never heard of — ask your heating engineer and they'll say KANE is the UK's best test equipment manufacturer. Heating engineers know KANE is their most trusted supplier; without our test equipment, they can't work and our homes and workplaces won't be safe and warm. That's why we're 5-star rated on Trustpilot and why we won The Queen's Award for Innovation — one of only 50 companies to receive this highest honour.
With half our sales outside the UK, our growth plans are simple, sustainable and self-funded: double sales and operating profit by 2030. We're an employer of choice in Hertfordshire, and partner with the University of Hertfordshire, sponsoring their Formula Student programme while their business school delivers professional training for our team. We are ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO17025 approved.
The Role
This is a full-time, permanent position offering a unique opportunity to operate as a true generalist HR professional across a growing, award-winning business. The HR Advisor will work closely with the HR & Marketing Manager and senior leadership to deliver the full employee lifecycle, maintain compliance, and drive people initiatives across Kane International's UK operations. Hybrid working is available.
Key Responsibilities
Recruitment & Onboarding
● Managing end-to-end recruitment processes including advertising, application screening, interview coordination, and offer management
● Issuing contracts, starter packs, and conducting right-to-work checks
● Delivering induction presentations
● Managing the full offboarding process for leavers, including exit interviews and system administration
Employee Relations
● Acting as the first point of contact for employee relations matters including disciplinaries, grievances, and investigations
● Providing managers with guidance and support on ER processes in line with employment law and company policy
● Monitoring sickness absence and supporting managers with return-to-work processes
Payroll & Benefits
● Running the monthly payroll process in collaboration with the Finance team
● Administering employee benefits including private medical insurance, pension, death in service and cycle to work scheme
● Managing changes to benefit entitlements and maintaining accurate records
HR Systems & Data
● Overseeing and administering the HRIS (IRIS Staffology), including new starter set-up, ongoing changes, and reporting
● Managing the Learning Management System (ProCompliance), ensuring training records are accurate and up to date
● Maintaining the Time & Attendance system (UAttend), identifying and resolving discrepancies
● Producing HR reports and people data as required by the business
Policy & Compliance
● Keeping HR policies updated and legally compliant, reflecting changes in employment law and best practice
● Ensuring training and compliance requirements are met across the organisation, working with managers to address gaps
● Maintaining accurate and up-to-date employee records, both electronic and hard copy
Learning, Development & Early Careers
● Overseeing apprenticeship programmes and work experience placements, acting as the primary point of contact for providers and learners
● Supporting feedback meetings (appraisals) and working with managers to ensure timely completion
● Supporting the delivery of training and development initiatives across the business
General
● Working with third-party agencies to oversee and support Kane's overseas workforce
● Providing first-line HR support and signposting for all UK staff
● Assisting in organising company events including annual long service lunches
● Other HR administration as required
Person Specification
● CIPD qualified to a minimum of Level 3 (Level 5 desirable or in progress)
● Proven experience in a generalist HR role, ideally in a private sector SME environment
● Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
● Experience with HRIS platforms
● Comfortable managing payroll processes and working closely with Finance
● Confident handling ER cases with appropriate discretion and judgement
● Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
● Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the business
● Proactive and self-sufficient, with the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy
Benefits
● Competitive salary
● Hybrid working
● Contributory pension scheme
● Subsidised private medical healthcare
● Employee Assistance Programme
● Cycle to work scheme
● Death in service benefit
● Generous annual leave
● Ongoing training and development
● Bonus scheme
● Free onsite parking and car charging
● Refreshments and modern working environment
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person