Payroll Manager in Preston

Your new company is a highly successful and long-established Preston-based business with a heritage spanning over 150 years, supporting them in the recruitment of an experienced Payroll Manager. Operating across multiple sectors including retail, wholesale distribution and manufacturing, this is a business where people stay for the long term. With a supportive, down-to-earth culture and a less corporate environment, you will benefit from working within a stable, family-owned company that values loyalty, development and wellbeing.

Your new role as Payroll Manager involves overseeing a large and complex payroll operation processing payroll across multiple payrolls within the wider group. Working alongside an experienced team, including a Payroll Supervisor, you will provide leadership, technical guidance and support whilst ensuring the smooth delivery of payroll services across the organisation. This role requires a highly knowledgeable payroll professional capable of overseeing complex payroll matters, maintaining compliance with ever-changing legislation and ensuring all HMRC reporting, submissions and statutory returns are completed accurately and on time. You will take ownership of payroll controls, reconciliations, pension administration, reporting and audit requirements whilst acting as the key payroll expert for the wider business. The role also involves conducting regular one-to-ones, supporting team development and contributing to ongoing improvements within the payroll function. This is a full-time role, based from their offices in Preston, and due to the nature of the role, this is based full time onsite.

To be successful for this role, you will be an experienced Payroll Manager or Senior Payroll Professional with a proven track record of managing complex, high-volume payrolls within a large organisation. Strong technical payroll knowledge is essential, including detailed understanding of UK payroll legislation, HMRC compliance, RTI submissions, statutory reporting and pension administration. Pension knowledge is considered particularly important for this role. You will have experience working within a payroll team environment and be comfortable providing leadership, guidance and support to colleagues. Previous management experience would be advantageous, although the business is open to prioritising technical payroll expertise over people management experience initially. Experience using Cintra payroll software would be beneficial, alongside strong Excel skills including VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables and payroll data analysis. Most importantly, you will be a confident and proactive payroll professional who can hit the ground running.

In return, you will receive a salary of £50,000 - £55,000 together with an excellent benefits package and the opportunity to join a business renowned for looking after its people. Annual leave starts at 22 days plus bank holidays and increases with length of service, up to 25 days. The business also offers an enhanced pension scheme, life insurance and company sick pay. Additional benefits include a generous staff discount, free on-site parking, Loyalty Pay which rewards long service through annual bonus payments, and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme. They are committed to professional development and offer fully funded training opportunities, including support towards your CIPP qualification.

If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.