Payroll Associate

Premier Foods; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Payroll career progression

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Premier Foods in Manchester is seeking a Payroll Associate to join our Payroll team. You will help process weekly and monthly payrolls for around 4,000 colleagues, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance while collaborating with HR, Finance and other stakeholders.

The role requires strong numerical skills, attention to detail and proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP). Hybrid working with two days in the Manchester office is provided.

Qualifications

• Experience with weekly and monthly payrolls
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritise multiple tasks under pressure
• Excellent collaboration with HR, Finance and stakeholders
• Proactive mindset to improve payroll processes

Responsibilities

• Process weekly and monthly payrolls accurately and within deadlines
• Resolve payroll queries from colleagues and stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation and internal controls
• Reconcile third-party vendor payments and payroll data
• Support payroll audits, testing and system enhancements
• Maintain payroll documentation and controls
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and wider business stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and systems
• Escalate complex payroll issues when required
• Contribute to team KPIs and continuous improvement efforts

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)

Job description

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At Premier Foods, we're proud of the food brands that millions of people love. Behind every successful product, site and team is a payroll function that ensures our colleagues are supported and rewarded correctly.

We're looking for a Payroll Associate to join our Payroll team in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with payroll experience who enjoys working with detail, solving problems and collaborating with stakeholders across the business.

You'll play a key role in processing payroll for approximately 4,000 colleagues, helping us deliver an accurate, efficient and trusted payroll service.

What you'll be doing

As a Payroll Associate, you'll support the delivery of weekly and monthly payrolls, ensuring colleagues are paid accurately and on time. Working closely with HR, Finance and other stakeholders, you'll help maintain high standards of payroll compliance, data quality and customer service.

• Process weekly and monthly payrolls accurately and within agreed deadlines
• Investigate and resolve payroll queries from colleagues and stakeholders
• Support compliance with payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and internal controls
• Reconcile third-party vendor payments and payroll-related data
• Support payroll audits, testing and system enhancements where required
• Maintain payroll process documentation and controls
• Work collaboratively with HR, Finance and wider business stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, systems and ways of working
• Escalate complex payroll issues when appropriate and support their resolution
• Contribute to team objectives, KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives

What we need from you

You'll be someone who enjoys working with numbers and information, takes pride in accuracy and can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience working with weekly and monthly payrolls
• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
• The ability to prioritise effectively and remain calm under pressure
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach
• Good Excel skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functionality
• A proactive mindset and a desire to continually improve processes

It would be great if you also have:

• CIPP qualification (or are studying towards this)

What we offer in return:

• You'll be part of a supportive environment where ideas are welcomed, voices are heard, and teamwork drives success.
• This role offers a pathway towards opportunities such as Payroll Specialist or Reporting & Compliance Specialist
• Access to a range of colleague benefits and wellbeing support
• Hybrid working, with two days per week based in our Manchester office.

If you're looking for a role where your accuracy, expertise and commitment to great service can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.