[15h Left] Payroll Team Leader...

Job Description

Requisition ID: 60047
Position Type: FT Permanent
Workplace Arrangement: #LI-Hybrid

About The Role

We are looking for a Payroll Team Leader to join our dynamic global team. In this critical role, you will oversee and manage the end-to-end payroll function for our UK workforce, ensuring that every payroll run is accurate, timely, and fully compliant with HMRC regulations, UK employment legislation, and internal governance standards.

You will lead a team of dedicated payroll professionals and collaborate closely with colleagues across HR, Finance, and external providers. Your leadership will drive continuous improvement and help deliver an outstanding payroll service that supports our people and our business.

We are flexible on location within the UK for this role; however, candidates must be willing to travel to the Bristol office when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll professionals to consistently meet service level agreements and internal KPIs.
  
• Oversee and process accurate payroll for UK-based employees on a weekly/monthly basis, including salaries, bonuses, statutory payments (e.g. SMP, SSP, SAP), and pension contributions.
  
• Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation including Real Time Information (RTI) submissions, PAYE, NI, and student loan repayments.
  
• Manage all HMRC submissions and ensure year-end reporting requirements (e.g., P11D, P60, P45, FPS, EPS) are completed accurately and on time.
  
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and audit trails in accordance with GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
  
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex payroll and taxation queries, resolving discrepancies promptly and professionally.
  
• Collaborate with manufacturing site managers and HR business partners to ensure accuracy of site-specific payroll inputs.
  
• Liaise with external bodies (e.g., HMRC, The Pensions Regulator, auditors) as required.
  
• Continually review payroll processes, controls, and system performance to identify and implement efficiencies and automation opportunities.
  
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate records, reconciliations, and explanations as required.
  
• Keep up to date with all UK payroll legislation changes, tax reforms, and regulatory updates, ensuring they are reflected in payroll practices.
  
  Qualifications & Skills
  
  
• Proven leadership experience in UK payroll operations within high-volume, complex environments. Exposure to multi-site or manufacturing payroll is a strong plus.
  
• Strong working knowledge of UK payroll legislation, including PAYE, NIC, statutory payments, court orders, and auto-enrolment.
  
• Experience processing complex payrolls that include variable pay elements such as overtime, shift differentials, and union deductions.
  
• Experience with payroll systems such as iTrent, ResourceLink, SAP, Workday (or similar).
  
• Strong Excel skills (including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables).
  
• Familiarity with HR/Finance systems integration, including GL postings and cost centre allocations.
  
• Exceptional accuracy, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities to handle competing priorities.
  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to non-specialists.
  
• CIPP qualification (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) – highly desirable.
  
• Formal training in GDPR, payroll systems, or audit practices is an advantage.
  
  About Kerry
  
  Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
  
  Get in touch today!
  
  In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally. Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.
  
  Candidate and Agency Information:
  
  Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kerry terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kerry Hiring Managers.
  
  Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.
  
  Recruiter: #LI-HB2
  Posting Type: LI