Job Description

Associate Payroll Specialist EMEA is responsible for the correct processing of all payroll mutations within our company for the assigned market(s), as well as informing HRSC, Tax, Finance, and HR colleagues about payroll-related questions.

The Payroll Specialist supports the structure of the Payroll function and the delivery of Payroll services. Furthermore, the Payroll Specialist plays an important role in providing significant value to the entire sub-region’s organisation by ensuring state-of-the-art Payroll processing, operations excellence, and regulatory compliance, while acting as a liaison to multiple internal stakeholders.

For all activities, the Payroll Specialist demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset to have issues solved at the root cause as well as experience and a passion for delivering successful results with an inclusive team ethic.
 

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for:

• Independently delivering timely and accurate payroll for multiple assigned entities in compliance with local laws and regulations.

• Inputting data into databases and spreadsheets.

• Monitoring standard personnel and salary changes.

• Processing expats and commuters in coordination with Global Mobility and external providers.

• Managing all payroll controls for SOX and other audits.

• Compiling all necessary approvals for bank payments.

• Contributing to the development and implementation of payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Responding to all internal and external inquiries related to payroll issues, social insurance, and taxation.

• Contributing to efforts to standardise and improve Payroll & Benefits Administration processes across sites, leveraging best practices and reducing complexity.

• Collaborating closely with all relevant parties, including the EMEA HR Service Delivery organization, HR Business Partners, and HR Centers of Excellence.

• Supporting payroll peers with documentation of payroll systems, process optimization, and continuous improvement.

• Participating in projects and working groups.

• Reporting? Payroll Reporting: Assist in generating accurate payroll reports, such as earnings statements, tax reports, and other payroll-related reports. Collaborate with the HR Shared Service team to distribute reports to employees and stakeholders as required.

• Continuous Learning: Staying updated on payroll best practices, emerging trends, and technology solutions. Attend training sessions and webinars to enhance knowledge of payroll processes, compliance requirements, and software updates.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business or Accounting or another relevant Payroll qualification; in lieu of a degree

• At least 3 years of experience in a multinational business environment, with a focus on Payroll for multiple entities. Experience in HR is a plus

• Experience with payroll processing with outsourced provider models (ADP, Celergo etc.) and working with HR systems (Workday, SAP)

• Excellent planning and organisational skills, ability to balance and prioritise work

• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality, strong personal integrity

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate relevant information to all levels of the organisation, fluent in English (written and spoken)

• Demonstrated ability to work in (international) teams and collaborate / partner effectively at all levels across the organisation.

What we offer

• Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment

• Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally

• Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern

• Competitive salary & incentive pay

• Pension and health insurance contributions

• Internal reward system and referral scheme

• 5  weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40  paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution

• Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card

• Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and discount programmes

• Up-to-date laptop and iPhone

• Parking in the garage, showers, refreshments, massage chairs, library, music corner 

Ready to take up the challenge? Apply now!

Know anybody who might be interested? Refer this job! 

Required Skills:

Accounting, Accounting, Adaptability, Confidentiality, Credit Management, Credit Risk Assessment, Data Confidentiality, Data Entry, Employee Training, Equity Compensation, Financial Accounting Controls, International Payroll, Knowledge Sharing, Legal Systems, Liaison Work, Outsourcing, Payment Operations, Payroll Analysis, Payroll Benefits, Payroll Compliance, Payroll Management, Payroll Processing, Payroll Queries, Payroll Reporting, Performance Evaluation Systems {+ 9 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

09/21/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.