Payroll Specialist

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,570 - 27,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus based on performance

28 days holiday, rising to 32

Pension contributions up to 10%

Discount on Co-op products

Subsidised onsite gym

Virtual healthcare support

Cycle-to-work scheme

Job summary

A leading retail organization in Manchester is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join its Payroll Operations team on a fixed-term basis until June 2026. The role involves processing payroll for around 70,000 employees, ensuring compliance, and maintaining accuracy. Successful candidates will have experience in payroll, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively. The position offers a hybrid work model and a variety of benefits underlining the organization's commitment to employee well-being.

Qualifications

• Previous payroll experience with the ability to complete manual calculations.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel confidently.
• Good team working skills and ability to work autonomously.
• Strong organisational skills to manage a large caseload.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll data using the Oracle Fusion system.
• Handle starters, leavers, absences, and ad-hoc payments.
• Perform manual calculations for payroll completion.
• Check payroll control reports for accuracy and compliance.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Skills

Payroll experience

Manual calculations

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Team working

Organisational skills

Tools

Oracle Fusion

Job description

Payroll Specialist

£24,570 to £27,500 pro-rata plus great benefits including 28 days holiday and up to 10% pensions contribution (Work Level 6C). Fixed-term contract until June 2026. Manchester city centre – in this role you'll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and the office (find out more about our hybrid working policy at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/hybrid-working-policy).

We're looking for a Payroll Specialist to join the Payroll Operations team within our wider Co‑op Business Services (CBS) organisation on a fixed-term contract until June 2026. CBS is made up of a number of diverse teams dedicated to delivering high‑quality, reliable and cost‑effective business services across our Co‑op. You'll play a key role in helping CBS to support and realise our group vision of ‘co‑operating to build more value for member‑owners every day’.

Why this role matters

Payroll Operations is a busy team; they process the salaries for approximately 70,000 Co‑op employees and pensioners on a 4‑week cycle, and their goal is to make sure that every colleague is paid the right amount at the right time. In this role, you'll be working in a high‑volume environment, with a seriously complex payroll that covers the entire Co‑op family of businesses. If you have the payroll experience and team working skills that we need, then we can offer you the opportunity to build your knowledge and develop your skills with a business that puts people at the heart of its strategy.

What you’ll do

• Use the Oracle Fusion system to process payroll data to tight deadlines
• Process starters, leavers, absences and ad‑hoc payments
• Perform manual calculations and analysis to make sure payroll is completed in line with high Co‑op standards
• Check key payroll control reports to make sure they’re accurate and compliant to government legislation
• Spot opportunities for continuous improvement, identifying ways to further streamline our payroll service

What you’ll bring

• Some previous payroll experience with the ability to confidently complete manual calculations
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to confidently use Microsoft Word and Excel
• Good team working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with others but also to work autonomously with support
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage a large caseload and prioritise your work

Why Co‑op?

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• 30% discount on Co‑op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, and our support centre is an inclusive environment where all our colleagues can thrive. If you have a disability, we’ll make reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process. We’re also proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme – if you’re disabled and you meet the minimum criteria for this job, we’ll guarantee you an interview.

Learn more about our recruitment process at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process

Explore our commitments to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion-wellbeing

Please be aware we may close the application window for this role early.

As part of your application, you’ll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you’re a current Co‑op colleague, this does not need to be completed.