Payroll Officer/HR Assistant, Mat Cover

Bourns, Inc.; Bedford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company located in Bedford is seeking a Payroll Officer/HR Assistant. The successful candidate will manage the monthly payrolls, provide HR support, and ensure accurate processing of payroll-related data. Candidates should have experience in HR administration and payroll systems, particularly ADP, with excellent organizational and communication skills. This role is integral to maintaining employee records and administering benefit schemes, contributing to a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a bureau-assisted payroll function for at least 100 employees.
• Confidentiality and data protection understanding.
• Ability to draft clear communications and payroll calculations.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly payrolls with ADP iHCM and Zellis.
• Administer benefits schemes and Company Pension schemes.
• Provide payroll processing advice to staff and managers.

Skills

Excellent organisational skills

Excellent teamwork

Proven spoken communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

GCSEs at Grade C or above including English and Maths

Part-qualified CIPD is an advantage

Tools

ADP payroll system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Title: Payroll Officer/HR Assistant, Mat Cover

Career at Bourns

If working for an organization with a long history of technological innovation and high advancement potential in a supportive, collaborative, and positive work environment are top considerations for your next career move, then you need to look at the opportunities at Bourns.

Bourns was founded 75 years ago with the guiding principles of providing breakthrough technology solutions, high‑quality products, responsive service, and exceptional value. Those principles still hold true today and have instilled a culture that is committed to excellence and ethical operations. As a leading provider of advanced components for power conversion, circuit protection, and motion control sensing solutions, Bourns employs more than 9,000 people in 21 countries and operates 17 manufacturing centres and 15 R&D facilities. Our customers and partners rely on Bourns to meet strict design requirements and satisfy international standards across a broad range of industries and applications. We achieve this stature because Bourns employees excel in the development of new products and continuous improvement processes that keep the company a global leader in delivering outstanding service.

Job Description

Position Title: Payroll/HR Assistant, UK & Ireland

Date: November 2025

Reporting To: Human Resources Manager, UK & Ireland

Department: Human Resources

Location: Bedford, UK

Basic Purpose

Manage the monthly bureau‑assisted payroll provision for 3 separate payrolls using the electronic payroll system, ADP iHCM for the UK and through Zellis for the Republic of Ireland. Provide comprehensive administrative support and represent the HR function for the UK and Ireland. Adopt a proactive approach in identifying opportunities for improving procedures and practices within the department. Communicate professionally, consistently and fairly with all employees and external organisations. Establish credibility by displaying an approachable demeanour and demonstrating empathy and utmost confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Manage the monthly bureau‑assisted payrolls, including collation and input of all relevant information for the monthly payroll such as new starters, leavers, benefits, contract changes, sickness absence payments, maternity and paternity payments, overtime payments, deductions, etc.

Additionally, a range of HR‑related responsibilities include:

• Provide advice to staff and managers regarding pay and payroll details/processing.
• Ensure manual and computerised records are accurately maintained and updated regularly in line with GDPR requirements.
• Administration of benefits schemes such as Life Assurance, Private Healthcare and employee Cash‑Plan schemes for the 3 business entities.
• Manage all administration associated with the Company Pension schemes for UK and Ireland, including auto‑enrolment and 3‑yearly re‑enrolment with the Pension Regulator, organising Annual Governance meeting and employee presentations.
• Assist in recruitment/onboarding/offboarding, including preparation of offer letters and contracts for new hires, adding new joiners to the HRIS, making up employee files, etc.
• Monitor and record sickness and other absences.
• Work closely with Senior HR Officer and HR Manager on Occupational Health matters.
• Gather data, data entry and compile statistical reports, and maintain statistical information for relevant external agencies.
• Attend and participate in meetings, fostering a team culture and encouraging all team members.
• Prioritise workload continuously and review priorities to ensure urgent and important tasks are completed.
• Comply with the Bourns Code of Ethics and Conduct and Global Sustainable Labour policy.

Interpersonal Skills

• Patient, tactful, diplomatic and approachable.
• Excellent organisational skills, able to prioritise effectively.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Communications

Oral: Proven and effective spoken communication skills.

Written: Ability to draft clear and concise communications to workforce to ensure accurate understanding. Write clear notes relating to payroll calculations that colleagues and auditors can understand.

Scheduling and Planning

• Excellent organisational and planning skills are essential for planning workload and meeting payroll deadlines, often under pressure.

Basic Job Requirements

Education

• Minimum of four GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Part-qualified or working towards CIPD qualification and advantage but not essential.

Training and Experience

• Ability to work accurately in all aspects of HR administration, with excellent attention to detail.
• High level understanding and respect towards confidentiality.

Specific Knowledge and Experience

• Experienced running a bureau‑assisted payroll function for at least 100 employees.
• Experience working with ADP payroll is a distinct advantage.
• Confident and efficient at gathering payroll data and presenting it to the payroll bureau accurately and on time.
• Computer literate with good/excellent Office knowledge, particularly Excel, including V‑Lookups and pivot tables.
• Efficient keeper of manual and computerised records – accurately maintained in line with data protection requirements.

Other Skills

• Experience of working in a busy HR/administrative environment.

Bourns is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all Applicants and Employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

If you are results‑oriented, have the drive to find industry‑leading ways to meet ongoing technological challenges, and go the extra mile to maximize customer relationships, then we invite you to apply to join the Bourns team.