Payroll Specialist

About the Role

In the role of HR Shared Service Specialist - Payroll (m/f/d), you will be instrumental in guaranteeing precise, compliant, and efficient payroll operations across various German legal entities. This position involves close cooperation with an external payroll provider, as well as HR and Finance teams, to promote payroll excellence, support process optimizations, and facilitate payroll system projects and upgrades.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete monthly payroll cycle for several German legal entities.
• Ensure payroll processing is accurate, timely, and compliant by working closely with the external payroll provider.
• Act as a reliable contact point for employees, HR, Finance, and management on payroll enquiries.
• Maintain and enhance payroll workflows, documentation, and governance standards continuously.
• Lead and assist in payroll system implementations and related system improvement projects.
• Collaborate with the external payroll provider to uphold high service quality and foster continuous enhancements.
• Compile payroll-related reports, perform analyses and generate statistics to support decision-making.
• Ensure alignment with German payroll laws, tax codes, social security, and employment regulations.
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits and handle month-end and year-end closing tasks.

Candidate Profile

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or an equivalent qualification.
• Have multiple years of professional payroll experience, preferably in international or manufacturing sectors.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in German payroll, tax, social security, and labor regulations.
• Experience using payroll systems such as ADP Loga or similar HR/payroll platforms.
• Capability to manage payroll projects and lead process improvements.
• Excellent analytical skills for crafting and interpreting payroll reports and statistics.
• Detail-oriented with outstanding organizational abilities and a structured work style.
• Effective communicator skilled in stakeholder management across HR, Finance, and external providers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
• Fluent in spoken and written German and English.

Work Location

Position based in Frankfurt or Cologne, Germany.