Payroll & Finance Specialist

We have partnered with a global leading food business that is looking for a detail-oriented Payroll and Finance Specialist to support their UK&I Finance Team in a busy manufacturing environment.

This is a 12 mointh FTC

You'll play a key role in ensuring accurate and compliant payroll operations while also supporting wider financial activities. As the business transitions from a paper-based system to a digital Time & Attendance platform, your expertise will help guide the change.

On Offer

• Salary will be circa 40K to 45K
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Private medical insurance (post-probation)
• Dynamic, collaborative, and international work environment
• A company culture driven by entrepreneurship, inclusion, and purpose

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing:

• Process and verify monthly payroll data in collaboration with HR and our outsourced provider.
• Submit returns to HMRC, pension providers, and ensure statutory compliance.
• Calculate sick pay, holiday pay, benefits-in-kind, EV salary sacrifices, etc.
• Respond to employee payroll queries and maintain confidentiality.

Finance Operations

• Reconcile payroll and bank accounts monthly.
• Support financial close processes (month-end/year-end).
• Assist with capital project and intercompany payroll reporting.
• Maintain payroll control accounts and assist with manpower budgeting.
• Compliance & Reporting
• Ensure adherence to payroll legislation and data protection laws.
• Submit RTI and pension contributions.
• Manage payroll aspects of external audits.

HR & Data Analysis

• Provide accurate HR data reporting (e.g. headcount, turnover, compensation).
• Collaborate on performance, recruitment, and budgeting reports.

Candidate Qualifications & Experience

• Experienced in payroll processing, ideally in a multi-site manufacturing or industrial setting
• Familiar with paper-based and digital Time & Attendance systems
• Confident working with Sage, Excel, and possibly ERP systems like SAP or Oracle
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation and pension requirements
• Excellent communication and time-management skills
• Proactive self-starter with a high level of integrity and accuracy
• CIPP / AAT qualified (or working towards)
• Experience working with Workday or similar systems
• Exposure to manufacturing finance operations