We are looking for an experienced and proactive HR & Payroll Officer to join our HR team in Wigan. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has a strong background in payroll administration alongside broader HR operations. Payroll accuracy and compliance are a critical part of this role, so we’re looking for someone who takes pride in delivering a seamless payroll experience while also supporting managers and colleagues across the full employee lifecycle. Working closely with the HR Manager, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our people processes run smoothly, efficiently, and compliantly, while helping to create a positive colleague experience across the business.
What you’ll be doing:
In this varied role, you will take ownership of the monthly payroll process, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, compliantly, and on time. You’ll manage payroll changes including salary amendments, pensions, benefits, starters, leavers, and contractual updates, while ensuring compliance with HMRC and statutory payroll requirements, including FPS and EPS submissions. Working closely with Finance, you’ll help maintain an efficient payroll process and act as a key point of contact for payroll and benefits queries, providing clear and professional support to colleagues and managers. You’ll also identify opportunities to improve payroll and HR operational processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy across the function.
Alongside payroll responsibilities, you’ll provide first-line HR advice and guidance to managers and colleagues on policies, procedures, and employee relations matters. This will include supporting managers with absence management, disciplinary and grievance issues, performance management, and wellbeing matters, while ensuring HR policies are applied consistently and in line with employment legislation and best practice. Building strong working relationships across the business will be key to supporting positive people-focused outcomes.
You’ll also support the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding and inductions through to contractual changes, internal moves, and offboarding. Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and HR systems will form an important part of the role, alongside producing HR reports and people data to support workforce planning and decision‑making. In addition, you’ll contribute to colleague engagement initiatives and projects aligned to the wider people strategy, helping to continuously improve HR systems, processes, policies, and ways of working.
Who we are looking for:
We’re looking for someone who combines strong payroll expertise with a hands‑on and collaborative HR approach. You’ll ideally hold a CIPD Level 3 qualification or be working towards CIPD Level 5, with previous experience across HR operations and payroll administration. A solid understanding of payroll legislation, HR processes, employee relations, and employment law is essential, along with experience using HRIS and payroll systems.
You’ll have excellent attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when managing payroll processes and handling sensitive information confidentially. Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively in a fast‑paced environment are equally important. We’re also looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who can confidently build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
Most importantly, you’ll be proactive, adaptable, approachable, and willing to get stuck in. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys making improvements, supporting others, and playing an active role in developing a high‑performing HR function.
What’s in it for you?
At the Tote you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork and pride in what we do. Within this role you’ll develop a broad range of skills and experiences that can enhance your career at the Tote. Additionally, our company benefits package includes:
- Competitive Basic Salary
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- Company Shares Option Plan
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life insurance (4 x basic salary)
- Simply Health Cash Plan
- Holiday entitlement (33 days inclusive of bank holidays)
- Study Support and opportunity for progression and development
- Confidential 24/7 365 employee assistance helpline
- Agile and collaborative office environment with free parking, fruit, biscuits, and drinks
- Regular social events, charity events and volunteering opportunities
Wigan, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
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