Payroll & Benefits Advisor

Individual Contributor

Full-time

Permanent

Hybrid

Cramlington, Northumberland

Human Resources

Oil & Energy

Industrial Air Quality

AAF International offers the most comprehensive clean air solutions available across the globe. Selling under the American Air Filter and the AAF International brand names, AAF International has been an industry pioneer since 1921 with manufacturing operations in 22 countries and over 6000 employees globally. Our products are the industry benchmarks for quality and performance. Our applications include commercial, industrial and residential solutions from the filters used in your home to the most critical cleanroom and power generation applications.

We are a member of the Daikin Group, the world's largest air conditioning provider with $30 billion in revenue and over 75,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 1924, Daikin has grown into a diversified industrial manufacturing company offering solutions in clean air, air conditioning, refrigeration, chemicals, oil hydraulics, defence systems and electronics.

We are currently recruiting for a Payroll & Benefits Advisor to join our existing Human Resources team within our Power & Industrial (P&I) division based in Cramlington, Northumberland. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, end-to-end payroll and benefits service for all employees across the AAF UK business. The candidate will ensure payroll accuracy, legal compliance and efficient administration of employee benefits — including, but not limited to: Bonus, Commissions, Pensions, Life Assurance, Company Cars, Allowances and Medical Insurance packages.

Scope for flexible working arrangements, including working from home on occasion, is offered subject to agreement.

Position Responsibilities:

Payroll Management

• Oversee and process the company's monthly payroll cycles ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
• Manage all statutory payments (PAYE, NI, SSP, SMP, SPP, SAP, etc.) and ensure compliance with HMRC regulations.
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations and variance analysis; investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Prepare and submit RTI returns, P11Ds and other year-end reporting obligations.

Benefits Administration

• Administer and maintain the company's pension scheme, including auto-enrolment, contributions and employee communications.
• Administer and maintain the company's scheme and associated employee communications.
• Administer and maintain the company's Annual Leave Purchase scheme and associated employee communications.
• Administer and maintain the company's SPOT Award scheme.
• Administer and maintain the company's Long Service and Retirement Awards schemes.
• Manage company sick pay, ensuring compliance with policy and integration with attendance systems.
• Coordinate company private health insurance schemes, maintaining up-to-date records and ensuring accurate deductions.
• Ensure company car schemes are administered correctly i.e. car fleet management / cash allowances and maintain up-to-date records and ensuring accurate deductions.
• Co-ordinate bonus and commissions schemes.
• Produce annual total rewards statements.

Systems, Data, and Compliance

• Act as the system superuser for Civica, supporting configuration changes, testing and reporting improvements.
• Develop and maintain robust payroll and benefits reporting for HR and Finance teams. (Dashboards)
• Ensure compliance with all payroll, taxation, pension and data protection legislation.
• Track international working arrangements to enable HMRC reporting and accurate taxation.

Advisory and Stakeholder Support

• Provide expert advice to HR, Finance and Operational managers across the site.
• Develop reward / compensation policies as well as executing, implementing and administering these policies.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for all employees on payroll and benefits queries.
• Support internal projects such as system integrations, salary benchmarking or reward strategy reviews.

Person Specification:

Education, Qualifications and Affiliations

Desirable

• CIPP Diploma in Payroll Management or equivalent professional payroll qualification.

Completed qualifications from an accredited institution may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstratable experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Experience of working in a similar role within a HR or Finance department.
• Extensive experience in end-to-end payroll management preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• In-depth understanding of UK payroll legislation, pension auto-enrolment and benefit taxation (e.g. P11Ds).
• Knowledge of accounting terms and concepts.
• Experience of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working on a number of projects simultaneously.
• Computer literate and able to use a wide range of software packages.

Desirable

• Knowledge of manufacturing industries.
• Experience working with bonus related pay structures, overtime and site-specific allowances.
• Knowledge of workforce agreements or collective bargaining arrangements.
• Knowledge of SAP or Civica payroll/HR systems.
• Experience in process automation or digital transformation of payroll functions.

Essential

• Eligible to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Full driving license.
• Full valid passport.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)

Skills

Essential

• Health, safety and environmentally conscious.
• Flexible approach to working, willingness to accept changing priorities.
• Ability to work to deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• High level of English communication skills including face to face, telephone and written.
• Good commercial acumen.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent MS Office / ERP skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships.
• A problem-solving can-do attitude
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work in an organised manner.
• Continuous improvement mentality and receptive to change.

What's on Offer?

• We know that having a work life balance is important, so we offer our colleagues flexible working opportunities in line with the needs of their role.
• Take a break with 25 days holiday (5 weeks) + bank holidays per annum.
• Pension scheme. A fantastic way to save for your retirement and benefit from employer contributions, we match up to 7%.
• Death in service benefit which provides a lump sum payment equal to 3 times your annual salary.
• Company sick pay scheme.
• The opportunity for international travel.
• Career progression and Learning & Development, with access to our 24/7 LMS.
• Perks and savings such as online cashback, instore and online vouchers and discounts via our scheme.
• Employee wellbeing programme – Free advice offering financial, wellbeing and relationship support 24 hours a day 365 days a year via our on-line portal.
• Get fit and take advantage of our cycle to work scheme.
• When on site, free parking is available.
• Receive free annual flu jabs.
• Stand out with our employee recognition schemes.

Applications:

• We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
• This vacancy is open to both internal and external applicants.
• All applications must be submitted in English.
• This vacancy is eligible for the refer a friend scheme.

Accommodations:

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to make adjustments to ensure an inclusive recruitment experience for all applicants.