Contract Type: Permanent Hours of work: 38 hours per week Location: Office based -James Hall & Co. Bowland View, Preston, PR2 5QT Salary: Competitive Based at our contemporary head office and distribution centre on the outskirts of Preston, James Hall & Co. Ltd. have been established for over 150 years proudly serving communities across the north of England as supplier and distributor to over 450 SPAR stores. We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in Lancashire with over 4500 colleagues who represent our core values of passion, enterprise and family every single day. About the Role We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Manager to lead the end-to-end payroll function for the James Hall Group of Companies. This role oversees a payroll operation that spans multiple business sectorsincluding manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and our network of SPAR retail stores. In addition to managing internal payroll operations, the Payroll Manager will also be responsible for overseeing our Payroll Bureau service, which supports a number of independent SPAR retailers. The successful candidate will lead a dedicated Payroll Team within the Accounts Department and will report directly to the Group Finance Director. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who is passionate about accuracy, compliance and continuous improvement. Heres What You Can Expect to be Doing Oversee the full end-to-end payroll process for multiple payrolls across the Group, ensuring timely and accurate payment of salaries, bonuses, and deductions. Ensure accurate calculation and processing of statutory and voluntary pension contributions, including reporting and reconciliation in line with pension scheme requirements. Prepare and submit statutory reports such as the Gender Pay Gap report and Employment statistical surveys. Stay up to date with the latest HMRC legislation and guidance, ensuring full compliance and implementing changes as required. Maintain accurate and timely reporting to HMRC, including RTI submissions, P60s, and P11Ds. Investigate and resolve post-payroll queries, ensuring clear and timely communication with internal departments and employees. Manage and reconcile payroll-related balance sheet control accounts. Produce, review, and post payroll journals to the general ledger, ensuring accuracy and consistency across reporting periods. Act as the primary point of contact for payroll-related audit queries, working closely with internal and external auditors. Support the introduction and implementation of new payroll-related schemes or legislative changes. Provide leadership, development, and day-to-day management of the Payroll Team, including performance reviews and ongoing training. Contribute to ad-hoc finance and HR projects, ensuring payroll implications are considered and managed. Provide accurate departmental payroll cost reports and analysis to support budgeting and forecasting processes. Undertake other payroll-related administrative duties as required to support the wider Accounts Department. A Few Things About You We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional who can contribute effectively to our payroll operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical knowledge, a commitment to compliance and accuracy, and the ability to collaborate successfully across departments. The following attributes and qualifications are essential for success in this role: CIPP qualification (preferred) or equivalent professional accounting/payroll certification with demonstrable relevant experience. Strong technical knowledge of UK payroll legislation, pension schemes, and HMRC requirements. Excellent attention to detail with a commitment to maintaining high levels of accuracy and compliance. Confident written and verbal communicator, capable of building strong relationships across finance, HR, and operational teams. Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with a good working knowledge of payroll software and financial systems. Flexible and adaptable approach, comfortable managing change in a fast-moving environment. Proven ability to lead and develop teams. This role offers an excellent opportunity to make an impact within a well-established and growing business. If you are a proactive, hands-on payroll professional looking to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you. Why us? James Hall & Co. Ltd. have one simple vison: to still be in business in another 50 years! To make this vision possible we need the best talent to join us on our journey. We are a family company and believe that if we look after our people, they will look after us. Here are some of the benefits that you can take advantage of as an employee of James Hall & Co. Ltd. Loyalty award From day one you will receive £0.25p per hour for every hour you work. You will then receive this as a lump sum on the pay period after your 12-month anniversary. Company Doctor We care about the health and wellbeing of our people. That is why you will have access to our company doctor with the ability to book appointments directly. Free On-site Parking - You dont have to worry about paying for parking or getting from your car to the office as our site boasts a secure car park with over 1000 spaces. Holidays Everyone needs a break so as an employee of James Hall & Co. Ltd. you will receive our enhanced holiday package. Holiday entitlement increases with continuous service every two years Learning & Development We want all of our colleagues to reach their full potential. Our in-house learning and development team provides access to fully funded, accredited training, industry-recognised qualifications, and IT certifications. Grocery Aid We understand the importance of mental health. We work with the national charity Grocery Aid to provide all colleagues a 24/7 helpline service that is free, independent and confidential. Grocery Aid also offer a wide range of other fantastic services to support you when you need it. We also offer staff discount, cycle to work scheme and our famous Christmas Hamper! Please note if we receive a high number of applicants, we may close the advert early. We advise interested candidates to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment. JHCHP REF-221 886 ADZN1_UKTJ