Assistant Payroll Manager

Are you an Assistant Payroll Manager or an experienced Payroll specialist ready for your next step? Progress Rail Services UK (PRS UK) is looking for a proactive, detail‑driven individual to take ownership of our payroll operations, oversee our HCM system, and support key compensation activities including benchmarking and salary surveys. Working closely with our HR, Employee Relations & Payroll Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering a first‑class HR service, guiding managers and employees to ensure compliance, productivity and great employee experience across PRS UK.

THE ROLE:

• Lead UK payroll operations, acting as the main point of contact for our external payroll provider and ensuring smooth, accurate monthly processing.
• Manage all payroll and HCM activities, including salary administration, time & attendance, leave management (medical, family-friendly, and other absences), and supporting payroll changes, transitions and system training.
• Support compensation and benefits, including benchmarking, salary surveys, job grading and collaboration with the Corporate Compensation Manager.
• Provide professional HR advice and support to managers and employees on a wide range of employment, performance, and policy matters.
• Maintain and optimise HR systems, ensuring accurate data, producing reports/KPIs, improving processes, and ensuring GDPR compliance.
• Support absence management, providing analysis and guidance to managers to help address and resolve issues effectively.
• Contribute to employee relations activities, including internal investigations, occupational health coordination, drug & alcohol testing, and promoting equal opportunities.
• Drive HR best practice, helping to modernise people processes, harmonise policies where possible, and ensure legal compliance across the business.
• Support performance management and contribute to initiatives that improve employee engagement and communication.
• Build strong internal and external relationships to support effective HR service delivery across all parts of the business.
• Promote Health & Safety and company values, ensuring safe working practices and supporting a positive company culture.
• Undertake occasional travel to UK sites and work flexibly out of hours when business needs require.

THE CANDIDATE:

The ideal Assistant Payroll manager:

• Experience & Knowledge
  • Strong end‑to‑end payroll experience, including handling payroll queries, working with external providers, and a solid understanding of deductions and payroll legislation.
  • Hands‑on experience with payroll and HR systems (ADP preferred), plus confidence supporting system transitions or implementations.
  • Advanced Excel skills and strong overall IT capability, including HRIS/HCM platforms.
  • Experience with compensation planning, salary and benefits benchmarking (ideal but not essential).
  • Relevant qualification such as a business‑related degree/diploma or equivalent payroll experience.
  • CIPP qualified or working towards it (essential); CIPD qualification is a bonus.
  • Full UK driving licence.
• Personal Qualities
  • Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently with employees at all levels.
  • Highly organised, detail‑driven and able to manage time, priorities and deadlines effectively.
  • A proactive team player and self‑starter with a strong work ethic.
  • Comfortable working under pressure, numerate, and process‑focused with a passion for accuracy and continuous improvement.
  • Able to support and guide a small team when required.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary + company bonus
• Tailored training and development, including company‑funded external qualifications where relevant
• Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
• Life assurance at 3.5× your salary
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership – up to 25% off at 4,000+ UK gyms
• Fuel card savings of 2–3p per litre at 3,500 stations, including BP, Esso and Shell
• Employee recognition schemes celebrating great work
• 33 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of bank/public holidays)

ABOUT PROGRESS RAIL:

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry. The company provides advanced EMD® locomotives, engines, and technologies, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signalling, rail welding and Kershaw Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations. Progress Rail’s deep industry expertise ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions. With a global network across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Australia, China, Germany, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, we are committed to serving our customers.

PROGRESS RAIL VALUES:

• Integrity – the power of honesty
• Excellence – the power of quality
• Teamwork – the power of working together
• Commitment – the power of responsibility
• Safety

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We value and embrace diversity of thought, background and unique experiences and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workforce and culture.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this role, please click on the link provided. If you would like any further information about this vacancy before applying, please feel free to contact Taher Rahman at our Sandiacre site. We would politely request no agencies please.