Assistant Payroll Manager

Assistant Payroll Manager

Working alongside the Payroll Manager you will help lead the Payroll team and take an active role in processing both weekly and monthly payrolls. You will also support the payroll team in administering employee databases and systems to track leave, time & attendance and references.

You will be an experienced payroll professional looking to expand your experience and grow your skills. This role offers the opportunity to take the lead on projects and payroll responsibilities.

Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The office is based at our Trowbridge head office and you will be on site at least 3 days per week. Some flexibility may be required during busy periods.

• Deputise for the Payroll Manager
• Assist with end‑to‑end processing of weekly and monthly payrolls ensuring all payrolls are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure all deductions are processed correctly and submitted within required timescales.
• Complete month‑end reports supplying information to managers across the business.
• Handle complex payroll queries.
• Complete reconciliations and payroll journals.
• Accurately record information for P11d’s.
• Stay up to date with legislation and tax laws affecting payroll operations.
• Share information as relevant within the Payroll team and wider business.
• Work with the Payroll Manager and the Payroll & HR Systems Manager to identify efficiencies and improvements for Payroll, HR and employees.
• Other duties as required.
• Support Payroll and P11d Year End processing.
• Communicate across the business.
• Provide audits and documentation when required.
• Supervise and direct the payroll team.

• Proven end‑to‑end payroll experience.
• Experience administering payroll and/or employee database systems.
• In‑depth knowledge of statutory payments, tax/NI calculations, auto‑enrolment and NMW.
• CIPP qualified or working towards CIPP qualification.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook packages.
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Able to work to tight deadlines.
• Plan and organise daily/weekly tasks, prioritise appropriately.
• Build strong relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Seek opportunities to improve processes and customer experiences.
• Adapt to changes quickly and positively, embracing new ideas.
• Pragmatic approach to problem solving while staying within the scope of rules and regulations.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience of Zellis Resource Link Payroll/HR system.
• Experience working with an integrated Time & Attendance system.
• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer.
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4%.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• Access to employee benefits including Perkbox with salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors, serving more than 1,300 care homes, healthcare and education settings. Our meals are crafted by dieticians and chefs, then frozen to lock in the goodness. Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready‑meal supplier, cooking and delivering over 330 different frozen ready meals across the UK.

We are driven by a passion for service and a commitment to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We embrace inclusion and support diverse backgrounds, aiming to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential. We are an accredited Living Wage employer and are recognized for our ethical standards by the Ethics and Trade Initiative.