Payroll Analyst - Mat Cover

Logistics done differently. We are currently seeking an experienced Payroll Analyst on a fixed term contract basis to join us at our National Hub based in Crick, Northamptonshire (NN6 7SL) with hybrid working available. This temporary role is for maternity cover and involves supporting the Payroll Manager.

The position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple payrolls simultaneously, and to support the payroll team manager to ensure continuous development of the current and any future payroll systems in use, ensuring the smooth flow of information into and out of the payroll system to support team delivery.

Pay, benefits and more: We’re looking to offer a competitive salary. In addition, we offer 25 days holiday, as well as the option to buy additional days. You’ll have access to a variety of high‑street discounts, a cycle‑to‑work scheme, a workplace pension and many other perks.

What you’ll do on a typical day:

• Be the first escalation point for the Payroll Specialist for complex problem solving or legislative or system issues.
• Ensure a professional payroll service is delivered by all members of the team and escalate any concerns to the appropriate person.
• Oversee manual calculations for statutory payments and ensure that the Payroll Specialist are meeting legislative compliance and high levels of accuracy (SMP/SPP/SAP/SHPP etc).
• Reconcile complex month and year‑end processes, essential to the accurate production of statutory and other returns as well as HMRC PAYE accounts for payments for tax, national insurance and SMP etc.
• Correctly review pension payments per providers and ensure that contribution summaries are reconciled and formatted as per the provider’s requirements.
• Plan, in conjunction with the Payroll Manager, the best way to implement legislative, procedural and system changes and to ensure that standard procedures are developed and maintained to reflect these changes.
• Assist in the training of new staff and provide training in legislative updates to current staff.
• Ensure NMW infringements as a result of salary sacrifice are corrected and communicated to employees and the Benefits team.
• Plan in advance with the Payroll Manager, tasks for the coming year.
• Foresee any impact of new legislation on payroll and help implement necessary changes.
• Resolve out‑of‑balance accounts, errors and payment queries, to ensure the payroll runs accurately on time.
• Liaise with external agencies such as HMRC, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), on complex payroll matters.
• Be a payroll subject matter expert in TUPE transfers, providing support and advice where needed with transfers both in and out of the business.
• Working with payroll manager and business to ensure continuous development of payroll contingency plan, identifying and testing for possible areas of system failure.
• Working with Payroll Manager and business to identify areas of payroll process improvements, and overseeing consequent implementations.
• Any other duties as requested by the Payroll Manager.

What you need to succeed at XPO:

• 3‑5 years of working in a payroll environment, with experience of both 'end to end' and 3rd party service provision.
• Fully CIPP qualified or equivalent (Ideal).
• Strong knowledge of ADP Global View / SAP.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of HMRC guidance.
• Highly proficient in payroll rules and regulations (experience in occupational pension schemes desirable).
• The ability to ensure compliance is always met.
• Awareness of project management and ability to manage and develop long‑term work projects.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Be a good team player with strong leadership skills.
• A minimum of intermediate level use of Excel.

We strive to create an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, where everyone feels welcomed, empowered and where you can bring your true self to work. We encourage applications from people of all different backgrounds and identities.