Payroll Specialist

Wenzel's the Bakers Ltd.; Watford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Store discount

Company pension

Holiday entitlement

Birthday leave

Training programmes

Wellbeing services

Job summary

Wenzel's the Bakers Ltd. is seeking a Payroll Specialist to deliver end-to-end payroll processing and administer compensation and benefits. You will ensure compliance with UK tax rules, manage reconciliations, and provide analytical insights to support a competitive total reward offering.

The role reports to the Head of People and involves partnering with HR and Finance on payroll projects, KPIs, and process improvements. A proactive, detail-oriented mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll for a medium or large organisation.
• Deep understanding of UK payroll legislation, taxation and compliance.
• Experience managing compensation and benefits programmes with vendor liaison.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data interpretation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly payroll processing accurately and on time.
• Complete PAYE and NI reconciliations and salary sacrifice submissions.
• Record Benefits in Kind and report via P11D/PSA submissions.
• Ensure HMRC compliance and payroll governance.
• Lead monthly Payroll KPI dashboard and forecasts.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and external agencies on projects.
• Provide expert payroll and compliance advice to teams.
• Support Gender Pay Gap reporting and ONS submissions.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

UK payroll legislation

Benefits programmes

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Excel & HRIS

Payroll software

CIPP/CIPD preferred

Education

Payroll qualification (CIPP/CIPD preferred)

Tools

HRIS

Time & Attendance (T&A) systems

Payroll software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Role Purpose

Job Description

Title: Payroll Specialist
Reports to: Head of People
Direct Reports: None
Salary: £37,000 per annum

The Payroll & People Specialist is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of all payroll processing and the ongoing development and administration of compensation and benefits across Wenzels. This role requires a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can manage end-to-end payroll operations, support strategic HR initiatives, and ensure full compliance with statutory obligations. Additionally, the role provides analytical insights and recommendations to support the People function in maintaining a competitive and compliant total reward offering.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Payroll

• Manage monthly payroll processing accurately and in line with statutory deadlines.
• Complete monthly PAYE and NI reconciliations, ensuring timely payment preparation.
• Manage submissions for salary sacrifice schemes and liaise with agencies on Attachment of Earnings and Court Orders.
• Ensure Benefit in Kind items are accurately recorded and reported through P11D and PSA submissions.
• Maintain compliance with payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Lead preparation of the monthly Payroll KPI Dashboard.
• Forecast and plan future payroll requirements through data analysis and reporting.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to deliver payroll and compliance projects effectively.
• Provide expert advice on complex payroll and compliance matters.
• Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and accuracy.
• Act as a subject matter expert for payroll, compliance, and benefits, supporting HR and Finance.
• Complete ONS submissions and Gender Pay Gap reporting as required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Partner with the People team to design and maintain fair and competitive compensation and bonus structures.
• Assist with job analysis and compensation classification exercises.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of benefit packages using employee feedback and benchmarking data.
• Liaise with brokers and benefit vendors to ensure smooth service delivery.
• Identify trends and patterns in compensation and benefits to maintain competitiveness.
• Conduct research to inform benefit programme improvements.
• Work with Finance to ensure accurate and timely P11D submissions.
• Support benchmarking and evaluation of existing benefit plans.

General Responsibilities

All employees are expected to:

• Uphold Wenzel's mission, values, and professional standards.
• Comply with company policies, procedures, and legal/regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information.
• Contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, and a proactive approach to achieving business goals.
• Undertake additional tasks or projects as required by business needs.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing end-to-end payroll for a medium or large organisation.
• In-depth understanding of UK payroll legislation, taxation, and compliance.
• Experience managing compensation and benefits programmes, including vendor liaison.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to interpret data and provide insights.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy; able to manage multiple priorities.
• Advanced proficiency in HRIS, T&A, payroll systems, and Microsoft Excel.
• Relevant qualification in payroll or HR (e.g. CIPP, CIPD) preferred.

Key Attributes

• Proactive and forward-thinking with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Collaborative and adaptable; works effectively across departments.
• Results-driven, well-organised, and resilient under pressure.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £35,000 per annum
• 50% discount at Wenzel's Stores
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days' holiday (including bank holidays)
• Extra paid day off for your birthday
• Training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships and career progression
• Access to a comprehensive Wellbeing Centre and 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline offering free, confidential advice

Hiring Process

• An initial phone or video interview
• A final face-to-face interview at our Head Office

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory reference checks.