Payroll Manager (m/f/d)

Portfolio Business: Huber Engineered Materials

Huber Engineered Materials is a division of J.M. Huber Corporation and, at its Martinswerk site in Bergheim near Cologne, produces over 100 specialty chemical products based on aluminum hydroxide and aluminum oxide for a wide range of industrial applications. Nearly 500 highly skilled employees leverage the expertise of a company with over 100 years of history to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions.

Purpose of Job:

This is a hands-on role responsible for payroll delivery, time & attendance processes, and benefits support across the EMEA region. The scope includes two manufacturing sites in Germany and Austria, as well as remote employees in other EMEA countries. Payroll processing is outsourced; however, this role owns payroll inputs, data quality, audits, and day-to-day compliance management.

The position also supports the transition to a more centralized and standardized EMEA payroll platform integrated with Huber's Global HRIS, and works closely with the Corporate Benefits team to provide regional insights and support locally compliant, globally aligned benefit programs.

Main Responsibilities:

• Manage and deliver accurate, timely end-to-end payroll across EMEA, working hands-on with external payroll providers.
• Prepare, review, and validate payroll inputs and outputs, resolving payroll discrepancies with HR, Finance, and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with local tax, social security, and labor law requirements.
• Provide operational support for SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP), including testing, upgrades, and issue resolution.
• Own and administer Time & Attendance systems, ensuring accurate data and legal compliance.
• Produce payroll and time reports and support audits and year-end activities.
• Support salary reviews, bonus payments, and statutory benefits administration.
• Manage and support a small regional payroll team and drive continuous improvement in payroll processes.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Solid, hands-on experience managing outsourced payroll and time & attendance processes across Germany, Austria, and ideally wider EMEA.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, tax, and social security requirements, particularly in Germany and Austria.
• Experience working with Time & Attendance systems and their integration with payroll.
• Confident in managing payroll vendors and resolving operational and system-related issues.
• Well organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proficient in MS Excel and experienced with payroll and HR systems (e.g. SAP, SuccessFactors, ADP or similar).
• Relevant payroll or HR certifications (e.g. German payroll qualifications or equivalent) are preferred.
• Fluent in German and English (written and spoken).
• Background in supporting a manufacturing or industrial workforce and collaborating with works councils/co-determination is preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll system transitions, process standardization, or shared service models is desirable.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% as required.

Ready to make an impact? We offer a dynamic work environment, competitive benefits, and a flexible hybrid work model, all while empowering you with possibilities for professional development in a cross-cultural setting.

If you are excited about this opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application in English, and our HR team will get back to you shortly. We look forward to exploring how we can succeed together.

Huber Engineered Materials