Payroll Manager

The Menu Partners; Bicester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 Days holiday + Bank Holiday

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Job summary

Absolute Taste is seeking a Payroll Manager to own end-to-end payroll across multiple payrolls, ensuring accurate, on-time payments and statutory compliance. Based in Bicester, you will collaborate with HR and Finance on changes, pensions, benefits and reconciliations while driving process improvements and maintaining data integrity.

You will advise managers and teams on payroll matters, handle complex queries, and ensure GDPR and pension rules are respected.

Qualifications

• Experience managing end-to-end payroll across multiple payrolls.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Proficient in HRIS and time & attendance systems.
• Advanced Excel skills for payroll data analysis and reconciliation.
• CIPP qualification or actively working towards one.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of end-to-end payroll for Absolute Taste across multiple payrolls.
• Prepare, validate and process payroll data including starters, leavers, changes, overtime and benefits.
• Ensure payroll records comply with HMRC, pension auto-enrolment, GDPR and policies.
• Administer workplace pension processes and liaise with providers.
• Provide payroll guidance to managers, HR and Finance on compliance and best practice.
• Build relationships with employees and stakeholders, resolving payroll queries promptly.
• Complete reconciliations, reporting and year-end activities with accuracy and deadlines.
• Identify process improvements and drive payroll efficiencies.
• Collaborate with HR/Finance to ensure data accuracy throughout the employee lifecycle.

Skills

End-to-end payroll management

UK payroll legislation

Multiple payrolls across payfrequncies

Payroll data analysis

Hospitality/events experience

Education

CIPP qualified or in progress

Tools

HRIS

Time & attendance systems

Excel

Job description

Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do?

We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength.

As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.

About The Role

As Payroll Manager, you’ll take ownership of end-to-end payroll across Absolute Taste, ensuring our people are paid accurately, on time and in compliance with all statutory requirements.

Based in Bicester, you’ll manage multiple payrolls, working closely with HR and Finance to oversee payroll changes, pensions, benefits, reconciliations and queries. You’ll also drive process improvements, maintain strong controls and ensure an excellent payroll service across the business.

Location

Bicester, Oxfordshire

As a Payroll Manager, your key responsibilities will be :

• Take full ownership of the end-to-end payroll process for Absolute Taste, ensuring multiple payrolls are processed accurately, on time and in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Prepare, validate and process payroll data, including new starters, leavers, contractual changes, salary amendments, overtime, statutory payments, deductions and benefits.
• Ensure payroll records are maintained accurately and in line with HMRC legislation, pension auto-enrolment requirements, GDPR and company policies.
• Administer workplace pension processes, including enrolment, contributions, opt-ins/opt-outs, reconciliations and liaison with pension providers.
• Act as the subject matter expert for payroll, providing advice and guidance on payroll legislation, compliance and best practice to managers, HR and Finance.
• Build effective working relationships with employees, line managers and key stakeholders, providing a professional and responsive service while resolving payroll queries in a timely manner.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, reporting and year-end activities, ensuring all submissions are accurate and deadlines are met.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls and efficiencies, implementing continuous improvements where appropriate.
• Work closely with HR and Finance to ensure employee data is accurate and payroll changes are processed correctly throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Support, coach and provide day-to-day guidance to the HR & Payroll Administrator, ensuring payroll administration activities are completed accurately and to agreed timescales.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Keep up to date with changes in payroll legislation and employment-related regulations, ensuring ongoing compliance across payroll operations.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll. Experience with variable hours employees beneficial.
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and pension administration.
• Confident user of payroll, HRIS and time & attendance systems.
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to analyse and reconcile payroll data.
• Experience improving payroll processes and implementing automated workflows.
• CIPP qualified or actively working towards a CIPP qualification (or equivalent Payroll, Finance or HR qualification).
• Experience managing multiple payrolls across different pay frequencies.
• Experience within hospitality, catering, events or another fast-paced operational environment.

Why Join Us at Absolute Taste?

Join a fast-growing and innovative company that is redefining customer experiences in the culinary and event space. We offer an empowering team culture, the opportunity to work on exciting, well-managed events, and a supportive, resilient team environment.

We are committed to supporting your career growth with thorough training and ongoing development.

You can also enjoy benefits such as:

• 25 Days holiday + Bank Holiday
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.