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- Tasks: Lead payroll operations and support HR activities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Progress Rail, a global leader in rail solutions with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and tailored training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience while developing your HR and payroll skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in payroll management and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values integrity, excellence, and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Company Description
ASSISTANT PAYROLL MANAGER - MANUFACTURING
SANDIACRE, NG10 5AN (ONSITE)
COMPETITIVE SALARY
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 will 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 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 3.5x 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, 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.
Assistant Payroll Manager in London employer: Progress Rail
Contact Detail:
Progress Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Payroll Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role. Understand their values and how you can contribute. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. The more comfortable you are with your answers, the more confident you'll feel during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Payroll Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Payroll Manager role. Highlight your payroll experience, especially with external providers and HR systems. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your advanced Excel skills and any relevant qualifications like CIPP or CIPD. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and detail-driven, so let that shine through in your application!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description. Make it personal and engaging!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team at Progress Rail!
How to prepare for a job interview at Progress Rail
✨Know Your Payroll Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your end-to-end payroll knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with payroll queries, external providers, and legislation. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics but can handle the complexities of payroll operations.
✨Show Off Your Tech Skills
Since the role involves managing payroll and HCM systems, be prepared to talk about your hands-on experience with these platforms, especially ADP if you have it. Highlight any system transitions or implementations you've been part of, as this will demonstrate your capability in optimising HR processes.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
As an Assistant Payroll Manager, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Use examples from your past roles where you successfully communicated complex information to different levels within an organisation.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially around payroll discrepancies or employee relations issues. Prepare specific examples of how you've handled similar situations in the past, focusing on your proactive approach and attention to detail.
