Payroll & Systems Coordinator

The role takes the lead on getting two monthly payrolls right, on time, and works with HR and operational managers to improve how our HR system (UKG Ready) is used day to day, so there is less manual admin. It is a redesigned role that combines payroll ownership with systems coordination.

The company runs two monthly payrolls, covering around 600 employees in total: about 100 salaried staff and about 500 operational (factory) employees.

• Coordinate and process both monthly payrolls, including overtime, expenses and mileage, starters, leavers, pay changes and deductions.
• Check payroll inputs, investigate exceptions, reconcile outputs and submit them for independent review.
• Coordinate weekly operational timesheet checks with a Finance apprentice, resolving issues before payroll cut-off. This involves guiding the quality of their work, but no line management.
• Work with the HR system project lead, operational managers and internal technical colleagues to specify, test, implement and improve workflows, self-service and templates in UKG Ready.
• Monitor exception reports, such as overdue absence actions, alert managers and escalates issues appropriately.
• Keep employee and payroll records accurate, and support standard HR administration through digital processes.

• Practical experience independently processing UK monthly payrolls, managing deadlines, adjustments and reconciliations.
• Strong payroll accuracy, confidentiality, numerical ability and Excel skills.
• Demonstrable experience using a digital HR or HCM system, and an understanding of self-service, approval and document workflows.
• Ability to coordinate improvement work, communicate clearly, test changes, challenge unnecessary steps and escalates issues appropriately.
• Organised and confident working with colleagues across Finance, HR and operations.

• Sage Payroll and/or UKG Ready experience.
• Evidence of improving HR system processes, introducing automated forms or reducing paper and PDF-based administration.
• Experience with time and attendance, shift patterns, reporting or multi-group payrolls.
• Experience coaching or supporting apprentices or colleagues. No line management is required.

Qualifications Practical payroll experience matters more than any particular qualification. CIPP or other payroll training is an advantage, and interest in further study is welcome.