Apprentice Payroll Coordinator

WHITWORTH BROS.LIMITED

Northampton (NN8 2DT)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 10 August 2026)

Posted on 29 July 2026

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Contents

Summary

Swarm Recruitment is working with Whitworth Bros Ltd to recruit a Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprentice. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to kickstart their career in Payroll within a long-established thriving growing company.

Wage

£25,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
You will work a 40-hour week on a Monday to Friday, 08:00- 17:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 17 August 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Working with the Payroll manager to ensure the smooth running of the payroll process, for all companies within the Group, ensuring deadlines are met and payments to employees are accurate
  • Assisting with the various annual pay reviews throughout the year
  • Checking Starters and Leavers including pro-rata payments
  • Check payroll calculations such as Statutory Payments (SMP. SPP, and SSP), National Minimum Wage
  • Assisting with the payrolling of benefits calculations
  • Assisting with monthly reporting and payments for our third parties, such as Unions, and Pension providers
  • Handling requests from employees with pay queries / system access
  • Compile information for the annual/ad hoc audits
  • Support the administration of the employee benefit programmes including new joiners and leavers to the schemes as well as gathering and preparing required data for the benefit providers at annual renewals
  • Assist employees or third-party provider with benefit related queries
  • Update record and resolve any issues related to benefits
  • Processing staff expenses and credit card claims, liaising with employees and their managers for this as required
  • Ensuring employee records on the Company systems are kept up to date
  • Working closely with colleagues across HR and Finance and assist them with other tasks, as required

Where you'll work

Victoria Mills
Wellingborough
Northampton
NN8 2DT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.

Training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
  • resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
  • deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
  • meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
  • provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
  • adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
  • select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
  • escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
  • use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
  • Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
  • develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
  • use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
  • use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Training schedule

  • Training will be with Swarm Training, a national apprenticeship provider in the UK
  • The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship which takes 16-18 months to complete
  • The apprentice must complete a minimum of 6 hours per week during working hours, with monthly training sessions conducted by a tutor, usually video, with tasks assigned to be completed during those hours

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Math (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills

Other requirements

  • None - not there is no set start and closure date. ASAP

About this employer

Whitworth Brothers ltd have been milling quality flour for over 130 years and are still growing strong. Their world class mills coupled with continued investment in their people and their estate mean they are a market leading business that helps to feed the nation. 
Whether you’re behind the wheel delivering our goods, keeping production running smoothly, or supporting operations from head office, you’ll play a vital role in their success.

https://whitworthbros.ltd.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Enhanced holiday entitlement, company sick pay, life insurance, health cash plans, family friendly policies, EV/ULEV car scheme and cycle to work scheme.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Initially a 2-year contract and we anticipate a full-time role permanent after the apprenticeship depending on performance

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045278.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 10 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.