Payroll Manager

Newton-le-Willows, England, United Kingdom

Working hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 17.00pm (Hybrid)

Location: Newton-le-Willows

As the Payroll Manager you'll oversee the company's end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. You will supervise the payroll team, maintain compliance with tax laws and labour regulations, and collaborate with HR and Finance.

• Manage end-to-end payroll cycles (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly), process salary changes, and administer benefits, pensions, and statutory deductions.
• Ensure submissions and reporting are completed on time to government tax authorities (e.g., HMRC in the UK).
• Hire, train, and mentor payroll administrators, reviewing their work for accuracy.
• Conduct payroll reconciliations, generate payroll reports for Finance, and handle complex payroll queries.
• Update payroll software and systems to reflect legislative changes and drive continuous process improvements
• Manage auto enrolment and pension uploads in line with legislation
• Assist Finance and HR teams with payroll related admin and audits

Experience / Qualifications

• 3 years' experience and evidence-based success in a similar role
• Proven experience leading payroll in a complex, multi-entity environment.
• Strong knowledge of PAYE, NI, pensions, statutory payments and UK payroll legislation.
• Comfortable managing high-volume frontline payrolls with mixed pay cycles.
• Strong people manager with the ability to coach, support and build a high-performing team.
• Excellent attention to detail and a calm, structured approach under pressure.
• Confident working with finance systems, time & attendance platforms, and payroll software.
• Experience in a payroll manager role
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll legislation
• Familiar with payroll systems (e.g., Sage, Xero, Iris, BrightPay, SAP - or similar)
• Good numeracy skills and high attention to detail
• Excellent organisational and time management abilitiesAble to work to deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Confidential, trustworthy, and highly accurate