Payroll Specialist - 6-9 month FTC

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.

 With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We’re looking for an interim Payroll Specialist to join our team in Kings Hill, West Malling for between 6-9 months.

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to oversee all aspects of payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement to current and future process.  This is a standalone role, and you will be responsible for calculating, disbursing, and reconciling employee compensation. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and up-to-date knowledge of payroll, pension laws and regulations.

Purpose of the role is to lead and manage all aspects of payroll processing & benefits for over 300 UK employees.

The role holder will act as the subject matter expert for payroll and benefits and will play a key role in the current payroll and HRIS system change, providing specialist input and assurance throughout the implementation.

A rewarding and varied role that will primarily provide the first point of contact for all payroll matters to the internal customers and external agencies of the business. 

Responsibilities include:

• Gather data and information from a variety of sources and carry out a range of data entry and analysis activities to enable processing of payroll for 300+ employees.
• Act as the subject matter expert for the payroll and HRIS system change (moving from Sage 50 to Deel).
• Processing of statutory payments such as SSP, SMP, SPP and pensions
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees, including regular pay, overtime, bonuses and other compensation.
• Prepare and submit payroll tax returns (p60s and p11ds), ensuring accuracy and timeliness to avoid penalties.
• Address any payroll-related enquiries or issues from regulatory agencies.
• Submission of payroll returns to HMRC via Government Gateway
• Year End submissions of P60 & P11D using Sage P11D module
• Timely submission monthly of pension data via pension portals
• Manage pension schemes administration, auto enrolment and salary sacrifice and statutory returns to The Pensions Regulator
• Participate in pension scheme corporate governance; arrange pension workshops to raise awareness of workplace savings
• Administer employee benefits such as childcare vouchers, PMI cash plan, Group Income Protection and Life insurance policies including annual reviews where applicable
• Assist auditors with payroll related queries
• Prepare and submit reports on payroll operations to the senior management
• Produce the Company’s annual Gender Pay Report
• Produce ad-hoc data for reports
• Continually review processes and procedures for improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support the HR team with ad hoc tasks

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience delivering end-to-end payroll process, from calculations through to final submission to HMRC. Experience gained within a fast-moving FMCG, fresh produce or manufacturing environment would be highly advantageous.
• CIPP qualified (or working towards a recognised payroll qualification) with extensive and up-to-date payroll knowledge.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll systems, with the ability to effectively manage payroll data, process transactions, and generate accurate reports. Use of Sage Payroll Software and Deel is desirable but not essential.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel.
• In-depth knowledge of UK payroll legislation, tax and statutory requirements.
• Highly numerate with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to follow defined processes while identifying improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with employees, managers and external stakeholders.
• A customer-oriented mindset, providing a high standard of service and support in response to payroll queries and issues.
• Approachable, proactive and positive, with a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Proven experience acting as a payroll subject matter expert during a payroll and/or HRIS implementation or system change.
• Experience of payroll data migration, system testing, parallel runs and post-implementation support.
• Ability to translate complex payroll legislation and operational requirements into system and process design.
• Comfortable working in change environments and managing stakeholders through transition
• European payroll experience would be desirable

Benefits

• 23 days holiday, plus bank holidays.

• State-of-the-art office with fresh fruit, bean-to-cup coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, and avocado ice cream.

• Free on-site parking.

• Company pension scheme with life insurance cover.

• Employee Assistance Plan with Medicash.

• Christmas hampers and a Christmas party.

• Sausage Roll Thursday and pizza lunch days.

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.