Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 18 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role:

The HCD Business Partner is a trusted advisor delivering business goals through people, both leaders and employees. The role requires working effectively with a diverse blue and white collar workforce, understanding varying business perspectives and challenges. Partnering with leaders and employees, the BP attracts, develops, and retains diverse talent, enabling the business with the right HCD expertise, initiatives, and tools. The role drives engagement through a positive employee journey, executes HCD initiatives, and makes proactive recommendations. As a change agent, the BP guides transformation, challenges and educates leaders, and collaborates as a strong team player within the wider EMEA HCD team.

What you will do:

BP for Kao Function Groups (e.g. SCM/Manufacturing, R&D, IT, Legal) in UK.
Responsible for delivering the HCD EMEA Strategy within client group inline with the business strategy. Using HR expertise to identify issues/needs, make recommendations and provide tactical advice to help them meet the business goals.
Ensure that tools/resources available within HCD are being utilised and maximised.
Learn and develop knowledge cross functionally to support functionally fellow BPs
Responsible for advising and coach line managers on all types of employee relations matters including performance mgmt, company policies and procedures and practical resolutions to employee issues in line with local employment law, policy and the Kao culture.
Responsible for coaching and developing line managers to increase capability in people management matters.
Responsible for managing and executing all HCD initiatives within client group. Partner with leaders and line managers to drive career development, succession planning and talent management with the goal of driving quality conversations with employees, supporting growth and retention of talent. Identify training /skills/competency gaps within own client group and develop local training plans. Conducting training as needed.
Responsible for partnering with line management from proposal through to execution of redesign, ensuring compliance with legislation ensuring all changes are completed to timelines understanding the current and future needs. Identifying opportunities and making suggestions to drive efficiencies within existing structures.
Responsible for controlling Headcount & Personnel Costs for area and partnering with the business on future workforce needs.
Managing and co-ordinating key activities including annual pay review and bonus cycle. Building comprehensive knowledge of the pay, grade and benefits structure, providing advise considering both internal and external equity. Driving, managing and co-ordinating Reward and Recognition.
Responsible for the accuracy, timely updating and auditing of all core employee data within our HRIS system for client group. Utilize data and resources available to analyse and make predictions, providing fact based recommendation to the business to include employee relations, headcount, turnover, time to fill, etc... Develop action plans to address areas of concern.
Responsible for either leading or participating on HCD and Business projects as needed to support the HCD and company's strategic plan.
Stay in tune with current and future HR market trends and employment related legislation/regulations, consider impact, share knowledge and make recommendations to HR leadership and the business.

What you will need:

Degree Qualified or equivalent
CIPD Qualification or equivalent
5 years in HR (ideally in a matrix environment)
Supply Chain/Production experience is a strong asset
HR Business Partnering experience essential with solid experience of autonomously managing complex ER cases end to end and multiple cases at any time.
Proven organizational change experience within a complex, matrix, multi-site environment, including hands-on experience working with both blue- and white-collar populations.
Willingness to support wider HCD team needs, provide cover for other Business Partners, and think holistically by considering impact beyond one’s own business area.
Fluency in German and experience with the German labour market would be a strong advantage but not required.
Business minded and having business acumen and awareness
Self-motivated, proactive and a 'can do' attitude
Able to influence at all levels with strong stakeholder management
Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise and multi task
Change leader and change management

Note: Some travel is required within the UK and internationally, this role will be based out of our Bishops Stortford site with occasional travel into our London office.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 16 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/) or EMEA website (https://www.kao.com/emea/en/)

https://www.kao.com/emea/en/privacy/