We are a small / medium-size engineering company seeking an experienced, proactive HR, Payroll & Accounts Administrator to take ownership of our human resources function, and the sole responsibility for weekly payroll processing and daily financial transactions. This is a multi-functional role where you will drive strategic and day-to-day HR management, ensure our workers and subcontractors are paid accurately and on time, and keep our day-to-day financial administration running smoothly. The ideal candidate will have experience operating at an HR Manager level, together with a solid, reliable background in payroll and routine business bookkeeping. You must have the confidence to advise leadership, manage the employee lifecycle, run payroll independently, and keep our daily accounts organised.
Key Responsibilities
HR Leadership & Management
- Oversee the end-to-end employee lifecycle, from strategic recruitment and onboarding to offboarding.
- Provide expert guidance to management on employee relations, performance management, grievances, and disciplinary procedures.
- Ensure full compliance with current UK employment law, regularly updating company policies and handbooks.
- Lead employee engagement, training initiatives, and performance review cycles.
Payroll & Subcontractor Processing (BrightHr Payroll)
- Manage and process the weekly full payroll cycle using BrightHr Payroll software.
- Administer and process weekly payments for subcontractors, ensuring accurate verification and compliance.
- Calculate wages, subcontractor rates, overtime, bonuses, deductions, pensions, PAYE, and National Insurance.
- Act as the sole point of contact for all payroll, HMRC, subcontractor, and pension provider queries.
- Conduct payroll reconciliations and handle year-end reporting.
Day-to-Day Accounts & Bookkeeping
- Manage the sales ledger by raising client invoices, issuing statements, and chasing overdue payments (credit control).
- Payment of suppliers.
- Perform regular bank reconciliations to ensure the Company’s business bank accounts and credit card account match the ledger.
- Work closely with the Company’s Accountant to keep accounting records organised and up to date.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Experience: Must have solid, practical experience managing payroll, daily accounts, and subcontractor payment runs. Proven experience working as an HR Manager is essential. Candidates with purely administrative HR backgrounds will not be considered.
- Software: Hands-on, proficient experience using BrightHr Payroll software is desirable. Daily proficiency with Xero accounting and Excel is essential.
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of UK employment law, HR best practices, UK payroll legislation, subcontractor compliance regulations, and basic double-entry bookkeeping rules.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership skills, high emotional intelligence, strong organisational skills with a keen eye for numeric accuracy, and absolute discretion with sensitive data.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification is highly desirable. An introductory bookkeeping qualification (such as AAT Level 2/3) is advantageous but practical experience is highly valued.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- 28 days annual leave entitlement
- Opportunities to work with management to shape the company culture, HR framework, and internal administrative workflows.
HR, Payroll & Accounts Administrator in Basildon employer: G R Carr (Essex) Ltd.
G.R.CARR (ESSEX) LIMITED is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Basildon, where skilled Welders can thrive in a supportive and safety-focused culture. With competitive rates, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to critical projects across various industrial sectors. Join our team and be part of a company that values quality workmanship and teamwork, ensuring every employee feels valued and engaged.
