Payroll & HR Administrator

Orion Group; Alness; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group is seeking an experienced Payroll & HR Administrator to join a UK manufacturing client’s growing team. The role centers on accurate monthly payroll administration and supporting HR processes across the employee lifecycle, ensuring compliance with legislation and company policies.

The successful candidate will manage starters and leavers, maintain records, respond to payroll queries, and assist with audits, prioritising accuracy, discretion, and clear communication.

Qualifications

• Significant payroll administration experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of UK PAYE, NI, statutory payments and auto-enrolment.
• Experience with payroll software and HR information systems.
• Excellent numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly payroll for all employees.
• Ensure payroll is accurate and deadlines are met.
• Administer statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP) and overtime/bonuses.
• Manage starters, leavers, contracts, and amendments.
• Maintain HR records and onboarding processes.
• Assist with recruitment admin and HR reporting.
• Support payroll audits and liaise with HMRC and pension providers.

Skills

Payroll administration

UK payroll legislation

Excel

HRIS/HRMS

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Confidentiality

Communication

Discretion

Education

Payroll qualification / Business Administration (advantage)

CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate (or willingness to work towards)

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS/HRMS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Our client has an excellent opportunity for an experienced Payroll & HR Administrator to join their growing team. The primary focus of this role is the accurate and timely administration of the company's payroll, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and company policies. Alongside payroll responsibilities, the successful candidate will provide administrative support across a range of HR activities, helping to maintain accurate employee records and support the employee lifecycle.

This role is ideally suited to someone with proven payroll experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and has a strong understanding of payroll processes, statutory requirements, and HR administration.

Key Duties:

Payroll (Primary Responsibilities)

• Prepare, process, and administer the monthly payroll for all employees.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Calculate and process overtime, shift allowances, bonuses, statutory payments, salary adjustments, deductions, pensions, and other payroll elements.
• Administer statutory payments including Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP), and other family-related payments.
• Process starters, leavers, contractual changes, and employee amendments within the payroll system.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, and other statutory obligations.
• Liaise with payroll software providers, pension providers, HMRC, and other external bodies as required.
• Reconcile payroll reports and maintain accurate payroll records.
• Respond to employee payroll queries professionally and confidentially.
• Support payroll audits and prepare payroll reports for management and finance.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll data and ensure compliance with data protection legislation.

HR Administration

• Maintain accurate employee personnel files and HR records.
• Produce employment contracts, offer letters, and employment-related documentation.
• Administer new starter and onboarding processes.
• Process employee changes including promotions, salary reviews, transfers, and contractual amendments.
• Monitor probation review dates and support the appraisal process.
• Maintain absence, holiday, and training records.
• Assist with recruitment administration, including arranging interviews and issuing correspondence.
• Support the administration of disciplinary, grievance, and absence management procedures.
• Assist with HR reporting, employee data analysis, and management information.
• Support HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide general administrative support to the HR department.

Essential skills/experience

• Significant experience in payroll administration, ideally gained within a manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environment.
• Demonstrable experience of processing end-to-end payroll with minimal supervision.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, and pension auto-enrolment.
• Experience using payroll software and HR information systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of numerical accuracy.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable skills/experience

• Previous experience providing HR administrative support.
• Experience of time and attendance systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing shift patterns, overtime calculations, and payroll practices.
• Experience using ERP or integrated HR and payroll systems.
• Understanding of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Payroll or Business Administration qualification would be advantageous, but not essential.
• CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice (or willingness to work towards).