At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage payroll for 3,000 UK employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join Princes Group, a leading food manufacturer with a commitment to employee satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid work environment with opportunities for learning and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing payroll operations and driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: CIPP qualification preferred; experience in managing large payrolls is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end payroll function for all UK employees. This role will lead and continuously enhance UK payroll operations, taking full ownership of the end-to-end payroll lifecycle to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely delivery across all processes. Leveraging technical expertise and leadership capability, the Manager will act as a trusted subject-matter expert to all stakeholders, maintaining payroll integrity, driving continuous improvement, ensuring legislative compliance, and delivering an excellent employee experience.
Dimensions
- Manage the full payroll cycle for approximately 3,000 UK colleagues across 13 sites
- Third-party management: HMRC, pension providers, law courts, trade unions, voluntary bodies
- Key stakeholders include the wider People Operations team and the wider People team (recruitment, site HR teams, L&D, finance, audit, grade 7 & 8)
Principal Responsibilities
Payroll Operations
- Manage the full payroll cycle for weekly (high-volume, shift-based workforce) and monthly (salaried and management population) payrolls
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, and deductions
- Oversee payroll inputs including time worked, shift premiums, attendance data, and variable pay
- Perform payroll validation, reconciliation, and approval processes
- Review all payroll processing prior to BACS payments and statutory HMRC submission
- Act as final point of escalation for complex calculations and queries, finding resolution
- Administer and manage pension schemes, ensuring compliance
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with HMRC regulations, statutory requirements, and UK employment legislation
- Manage statutory payments (SSP, SMP, SPP, etc.) and deductions (tax, NI, pensions, AEOs)
- Oversee year-end processes including P60s, P11Ds, and submissions to HMRC
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll legislation and ensure changes are implemented effectively
- Lead internal and external audit processes related to payroll
Manage Payroll Software
- Manage and optimise payroll systems (e.g., ERP, time & attendance systems)
- Ensure integration between payroll, HR and time-recording systems
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy and automation
- Lead payroll-related projects (system upgrades, transformations, process redesign)
People Management & Efficiency
- Lead, develop and manage the payroll team
- Set clear objectives and performance standards
- Provide coaching, training and development opportunities
- Ensure adequate resourcing during peak payroll cycles
Reporting and Analysis
- Produce payroll reports, reconciliations and analytics for finance and senior leadership
- Support budgeting, forecasting and cost analysis (labour costs, overtime trends, etc.)
- Monitor payroll KPIs and identify areas of risk or inefficiency
Project Work & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and deliver payroll-related projects, including system implementations, upgrades and migrations
- Support wider business transformation initiatives impacting payroll (e.g., changes to shift structures, harmonisation of terms, organisational restructures)
- Drive continuous improvement across payroll processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy and scalability
- Identify and implement automation opportunities to reduce manual intervention and risk
- Develop and maintain project plans, ensuring delivery within scope, timelines and budget
- Conduct impact assessments for legislative or business changes affecting payroll
- Champion best practice and standardisation across multiple sites
Role Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- CIPP qualification (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) or equivalent
- Degree in finance, business, HR or related field (preferred but not essential)
- Proven experience managing payroll in a large, complex organisation (ideally 1,000+ employees)
- Strong experience handling both weekly and monthly payrolls
- Experience within manufacturing, industrial or multi-site environments is highly desirable
- Demonstrable experience of managing high-volume, variable payrolls (e.g., shift work, overtime)
- Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements
- Experience with payroll systems (currently use One Advanced)
- Familiarity with time & attendance systems and shift-based pay structures
- Advanced Excel skills (reconciliations, analysis, reporting)
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical ability
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Strong leadership and people-management capability
- Continuous improvement mindset
- High integrity and commitment to confidentiality
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach
- Ability to influence and drive change
Competencies
- Business Awareness
- Communication & Influencing
- Planning & Organising
- Creativity & Innovation
- Working with People
- Leading a Team
Benefits
- Car parking pass
- 25 days annual leave plus birthday off
- 14.5% pension – 5% employee opt-in / 9.5% employer
- Enhanced family-friendly & carers policies
- Life assurance cover
- Private medical insurance
- Critical illness cover
- Learning & development opportunities
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Liverpool
Business area: Operations
Workplace type: Hybrid
About Princes
The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures 350 different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.
Payroll Manager in Liverpool employer: Princes Group
Princes Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and compliance, the Payroll Manager will thrive in a supportive environment that values innovation and teamwork, while enjoying generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, enhanced family-friendly policies, and extensive learning opportunities. Located in Liverpool, this role provides the chance to make a meaningful impact within a large, diverse organisation dedicated to responsible manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payroll Manager in Liverpool
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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We think you need these skills to ace Payroll Manager in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Princes Group. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Princes Group and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Princes Group. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Princes Group's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Princes Group
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Princes Group.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Princes Group will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Princes Group and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
