Payroll Officer

Service Foods; Māngere-Ōtāhuhu; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Service Foods in Mangere, Auckland, seeks an experienced Payroll Officer to join our National Support team. This hands-on role owns end-to-end payroll and supports our People & Culture team with HR administration activities.

Reporting to the HR & Payroll Manager, you will ensure accurate, on-time payroll for our nationwide workforce of approximately 800 employees across 18 branches operating 24/7. You will contribute to HR projects in a collaborative, respectful environment.

Qualifications

• NZ payroll experience required, 3+ years.
• Experience with NZ Holidays Act and PAYE.
• HR advisory experience is a plus.
• Proficient in payroll systems and documentation.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end fortnightly payroll processing (wages and salaries).
• Manage employee changes, leave, allowances, deductions and adjustments.
• Ensure accurate payroll reconciliations, reporting and IRD filings.
• Respond to payroll queries professionally and discreetly.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure NZ compliance.

Skills

Payroll processing

NZ payroll legislation

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Team player

Education

Tertiary qualification in business/admin/accounting

Tools

Ready Workforce (RWF)

Zambion

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our National Support team at Service Foods - a family-owned, values-driven organisation with a strong service focus.

This is a hands-on role where you will take ownership of end-to-end payroll while also supporting our small People & Culture team with HR administration activities.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a family-owned, values-driven organisation
• Work in a supportive, collaborative team environment
• Opportunity to contribute to process improvements and system enhancements

Position snapshot:

• Location: Mangere, South Auckland [near Auckland Report]
• Stable, full-time permanent role
• Hours: Monday to Friday
• This is primarily an office-based role due to its collaborative nature

About the Role

Reporting to the HR & Payroll Manager, you will work closely with the business leaders and employees across the business. Payroll is a highly trusted function within our business, and we are looking for someone who is professional, collaborative, and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.

You will play a key role in ensuring payroll is processed accurately and on time for our nationwide workforce of approximately 800 employees across 18 branches operating 24/7.

You will also support our small People & Culture team, contributing across HR administration and workforce initiatives in a collaborative and respectful way that supports our diverse workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• End-to-end fortnightly payroll processing (wages and salaries)
• Manage employee changes, leave, allowances, deductions, and adjustments
• Ensure accurate payroll reconciliations, reporting, and IRD filings
• Respond to payroll queries with professionalism and discretion
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure compliance with NZ legislation
• Support audit preparation and payroll compliance documentation
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders (IRD, MOJ, MSD, MBIE, ACC, and agencies)
• Maintain accurate payroll integration records, supporting onboarding, offboarding, and final pay processing

Reporting & Systems

• Prepare payroll and workforce reports and insights
• Develop and maintain reporting dashboards
• Support improvements to payroll systems, processes, and documentation

Workforce Planning & HR Support

• Support workforce planning and staffing forecasts
• Review and process hiring requests in line with budget requirements
• Manage PPE allocation, employee access cards (security tags), and access control records
• Liaise with temporary labour agencies
• Train people leaders on roster management, leave approvals, and system use
• Maintain employee records in compliance with the Privacy Act 2020
• Provide HR support during non-pay weeks
• Contribute to HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

You are an experienced payroll professional who takes pride in accuracy, reliability, and ownership of your work. You remain calm under pressure, are highly organised, and bring a strong service-first mindset.

Just as importantly, you are a team player - approachable, flexible, and willing to pitch in. You demonstrate respect for diversity and contribute positively to an inclusive, supportive team environment, bringing a no-ego, service-first attitude to your work.

What You Will Bring

• A tertiary qualification in business, administration, or accounting
• 3+ years' NZ payroll experience
• HR Advisory expereince is an added advantage
• Proven end-to-end payroll processing experience
• Experience with payroll systems - Ready Workforce (RWF) / Zambion highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of NZ payroll legislation (Holidays Act, PAYE, KiwiSaver)
• Experience in complex payroll environments (e.g. shift workers, allowances)
• Strong Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, charts etc.)
• High attention to detail and strong analytical capability
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment
• Professionalism and discretion when handling confidential information
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent written and verbal English, with confidence facilitating Teams sessions and training people leaders

Pre-employment checks

Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including employment references, a credit check, and a Ministry of Justice criminal conviction check.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold NZ citizenship, residency, or a valid work visa.