HR & Payroll Data Specialist

Job Purpose

The HR & Payroll Data Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll, HR systems and employee data across the business.

The role has primary responsibility for supporting the delivery of monthly payroll, administering payroll-related processes, maintaining the integrity of people data, producing management information, and providing first-line support for payroll and HR system-related queries.

The postholder will play a key role in ensuring payroll compliance, data accuracy and effective reporting, whilst supporting the continuous improvement of payroll and HR administration processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Administration & Compliance
• Manage the accurate preparation and processing of the monthly payroll for all employees.
• Process starters, leavers, contractual changes, salary amendments, deductions and statutory payments.
• Administer overtime, bonus, incentive, holiday pay and other variable payments.
• Review and reconcile timesheet, attendance, overtime, absence and payroll data prior to payroll processing.
• Review and validate payroll inputs to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Undertake payroll reconciliation checks and investigate discrepancies prior to payroll submission
• Process statutory payments including SSP, SMP, SPP and pension contributions.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with legislative, HMRC and data protection requirements.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee pay queries in a timely and professional manner.
• Liaise with payroll providers and internal stakeholders to ensure payroll deadlines are met.
• Produce payroll reconciliations and supporting documentation required for payroll processing, audit and compliance purposes.
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation, company policies and internal payroll controls.
• Support pension administration and auto-enrolment activities.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling payroll and employee information
• Payroll Incentives & Reward Administration
• Administer bonus and incentive schemes across the business.
• Calculate and prepare monthly incentive payments accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Support annual salary, bonus and incentive review activities through the provision of accurate payroll and workforce data.
• Assist with employee benefits administration and associated payroll processing.
• Maintain records relating to incentives, bonuses and reward programmes.
• Support the preparation of payroll cost analysis and reward-related reporting.
• HR Systems & Data Management
• Maintain accurate employee records across HR and payroll systems.
• Act as a key user for HR and payroll systems, supporting managers and employees with system-related queries.
• Monitor the HR Support Desk, handling HR system-related queries and ensuring timely resolution.

Complete regular system and data audits, identifying and correcting data quality issues to maintain accuracy and integrity.

• Support the implementation, development and testing of HR and payroll systems.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and company data governance requirements.
• Maintain absence, holiday, overtime and employee lifecycle records.
• Support managers in the accurate completion of payroll and people-related processes.
• Reporting & Management Information
• Produce regular payroll and people reports including: o Headcount o Labour turnover o Absence statistics o Overtime reports o Payroll reports o Incentive and bonus reporting
• Prepare board and management reports relating to workforce and payroll data.
• Maintain reporting dashboards, templates and standard reporting packs.
• Produce payroll and workforce data to support operational and commercial decision making.
• Investigate and elevate reporting discrepancies, anomalies and data quality concerns.
• Provide routine and ad-hoc reporting to support business requirements.
• Continuous Improvement
• Identify and implement improvements to payroll processes, HR systems, reporting efficiencies and data quality.
• Contribute to payroll, HR systems and people-related projects as required.
• Promote the consistent application of payroll and HR processes across the business.
• Support the development of procedures, guidance notes and process documentation.
• Share ideas and recommendations to improve service delivery and accuracy.

Essential

• Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• Experience processing payroll in a busy environment.
• Good understanding of payroll processes, statutory payments and payroll controls.
• Strong administration and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience using HR and payroll systems.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables and data manipulation.
• Experience producing and interpreting management information reports.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience using ADP, Bamboo HR or similar HR/payroll systems.
• Knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements.
• Experience administering bonus and incentive schemes.
• Experience supporting HR reporting and workforce data administration.
• Experience using Power BI or similar reporting tools.
• Key Behaviours
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Accountability and ownership of work.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative.
• Collaborative approach to working with managers and colleagues.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Resilient and able to work effectively under pressure to meet payroll deadlines.

Benefits

• Medical cash plan, company sick pay and enhanced family leave
• Christmas Shutdown, employee discounts and free lawn treatments
• 22 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service
• 24 hour Employee Assistance Helpline
• Store Discounts on other retailers
• Long Service Awards
• Employee of the Month Awards

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a supportive and knowledgeable team
• Gain hands-on experience in payroll operations and recruitment
• Develop your skills in a role with real responsibility and impact
• Opportunity to contribute to process improvements and service excellence
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