Senior UK Payroll Lead | Workday & HR Systems | Hybrid

Senior UK Payroll Lead | Workday & HR Systems | Hybrid

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
DS Smith

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage UK payroll for 5,000 colleagues, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
  • Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus, 25 days holiday, and health perks.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team driving change in the packaging industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HR and Payroll systems, especially Workday, is essential.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a Senior Payroll Officer to join our Payroll team at DS Smith’s Business Service Centre in Caerphilly. In this position, you'll be responsible for administration and customer facing duties around our UK Payroll service that ensures the timely and accurate payment of approximately 5,000 colleagues.

You’ll be responsible for processing monthly payroll of employees, ensuring tax commitments are accurate, and overseeing the preparation and distribution of payslips to employees throughout the UK. You’ll ensure relevant paperwork is processed in a timely manner, and quickly investigate and resolve any discrepancies to ensure optimal customer satisfaction.

We will also ask you to collaborate with your team in management and resolution of any queries that come from the business, with a view to educate colleagues around the UK so that they can become more informed in the future.

About you

  • Significant understanding of HR and Payroll processes
  • Experience of integrated HR and Payroll HR systems – ideally Workday
  • Advanced Excel skills
  • Demonstrable strong analytical skills
  • Experience of dealing with staff queries
  • HMRC Tax and NI experience is required
  • Manual calculation experience is required
  • International payroll (EMEA) is desirable

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Discretionary bonus
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Digital GP and health checks
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Shopping discounts

Location

Caerphilly - we operate on a hybrid basis, with 3 days in the office and 2 at home.

About us

We’re DS Smith, the company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need.

Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America. To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

Senior UK Payroll Lead | Workday & HR Systems | Hybrid employer: DS Smith

At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including a discretionary bonus, generous holiday allowance, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, with three days in the office and two at home, fostering a collaborative environment where employees can thrive and grow their careers in the dynamic field of payroll and HR systems. Join us in Caerphilly to be part of a team that is committed to redefining packaging for a sustainable future while ensuring our colleagues are well-supported and engaged.

DS Smith

Contact Details:

DS Smith Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior UK Payroll Lead | Workday & HR Systems | Hybrid

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the payroll and HR sectors. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can put in a good word for you. Plus, attending industry events can help you meet potential employers face-to-face.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching DS Smith and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience with payroll systems, especially Workday, aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they do.

Tip Number 3

Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to payroll discrepancies and customer service. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your analytical skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at DS Smith and contributing to their mission of redefining packaging.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior UK Payroll Lead | Workday & HR Systems | Hybrid

HR and Payroll Processes
Workday
Advanced Excel Skills
Analytical Skills
Customer Service Skills
HMRC Tax Experience
National Insurance Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Payroll Officer role. Highlight your experience with HR and Payroll processes, especially if you've worked with Workday or similar systems. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since strong analytical skills are a must for this position, don’t shy away from showcasing examples where you've used these skills in previous roles. We love seeing how you’ve tackled payroll discrepancies or improved processes!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your experiences and qualifications. We appreciate straightforward communication!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at DS Smith!

How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith

Know Your Payroll Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK payroll processes and HMRC regulations. Be ready to discuss your experience with manual calculations and how you've handled discrepancies in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.

Excel Like a Pro

Since advanced Excel skills are a must, practice using functions and formulas that are commonly used in payroll processing. Be prepared to demonstrate your analytical skills during the interview, perhaps by discussing a complex payroll issue you resolved using Excel.

Team Player Mindset

DS Smith values collaboration, so think of examples where you’ve worked effectively within a team to resolve payroll queries or educate colleagues. Highlight your communication skills and how you can help others understand payroll processes better.

Embrace the Hybrid Model

With the role being hybrid, be ready to discuss how you manage your time and productivity when working from home versus in the office. Share any strategies you use to stay organised and ensure that you meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality work.