Payroll Lead in Coventry

A very well established manufacturing business is looking to recruit a Payroll Specialist, who will lead the Company's payroll function, in conjunction with advising on and auditing current payroll processes, with a view to driving improvements. This is an immediate vacancy, initially on a 6 month term basis.

Role Purpose: To lead the delivery of an accurate, compliant and timely payroll service across the Company's operations, while also contributing to wider HR activities and projects. The Payroll Lead is responsible for preparing, validating and controlling payroll data prior to submission to an outsourced payroll provider, ensuring robust internal controls, data integrity and statutory compliance. As part of the HR team, the role also supports employee lifecycle administration, HR systems maintenance and HR/payroll improvement projects. The successful applicant will oversee a payroll administrator but will lead in a hands-on manner.

Key Accountabilities:

• Payroll Data Ownership & Control: Prepare and validate monthly payroll data prior to submission to a third party payroll partner. Extract and reconcile data from the time & attendance system, ensuring hours worked, overtime, shift premiums and absences are accurate and authorised. Ensure all employee changes (starters, leavers, contractual amendments, allowances and deductions) are accurately recorded and supported by appropriate documentation. Review payroll output reports and escalate anomalies prior to approval. Resolve discrepancies with managers ahead of payroll cut-off.
• HR Administration & Employee Lifecycle Support: Support HR administration across the full employee lifecycle including onboarding, contractual changes and leavers. Maintain accurate employee records within HR and payroll systems. Assist with issuing contractual documentation and payroll-related correspondence. Ensure alignment between HR records and payroll data.
• Compliance & Governance: Support compliance with UK payroll legislation including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pensions. Maintain clear audit trails for payroll and HR changes. Assist with an audit on existing payroll processes. Ensure processes meet HMRC RTI requirements and internal audit standards. Handle employee data confidentially in line with GDPR.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement: Contribute to HR and payroll improvement initiatives, including process enhancements and system updates. Support implementation of HR or Time & Attendance system changes. Assist with data preparation and testing during payroll-related projects. Promote standardised processes across departments.
• Stakeholder Support: Act as a lead point of contact for payroll-related queries. Provide clear and professional guidance to managers and employees. Work collaboratively with Finance, site managers and the wider HR team.

Core skills/attributes needed:

• Payroll administration experience
• High level & advanced system payroll software proficiency
• Payroll qualification e.g. CIPP (Desirable)
• Understanding of UK payroll legislation
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with stakeholders
• Exposure to HR administration processes
• Ability to manage confidential information
• Good Excel and HR/payroll systems capability
• Strong teamwork skill with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams

Note: This job description serves as a guide only to the main duties and responsibilities of your job role and it may vary from time to time. As the business grows and develops (or contracts), you may be expected to carry other reasonable duties which are within your capabilities. In the event that the job holder cannot meet all the requirements of the job description, then additional training will be given to assist in establishing the required capabilities. Previous experience working in a manufacturing company payroll function could be advantageous.