Senior Payroll Specialist

POSITION PURPOSE 

The Senior P&O Support Services Specialist ensures accurate and timely delivery of key P&O operational processes, with a focus on payroll preparation, time management, benefits administration, HR metrics, and cost of labour reporting. The role acts as a key contact for payroll- and benefits-related matters, ensuring data accuracy, compliance, and timely processing. 

This hands-on role requires attention to detail, confidentiality, analytical skills, and the ability to manage recurring operational cycles while supporting reporting needs, audit readiness, and process improvement. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

Payroll preparation and execution 

• Manage payroll preparation activities, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing. 

• Collect, validate, and submit payroll inputs to the payroll provider. 

• Review payroll-related data, including salaries, bonuses, deductions, benefits, overtime, and absences. 

• Coordinate with the payroll provider to resolve issues and implement payroll changes. 

• Review payroll outputs, support correction of discrepancies before finalisation, and provide payroll-related data and documentation for internal or external audits when required. 

• Ensure payslips are distributed according to the agreed process and support employee queries when needed. 

Time management and attendance 

• Oversee time management processes and ensure accurate attendance, leave, overtime, and other payroll-impacting data. 

• Ensure compliance with company policies and local labour regulations. 

• Maintain accurate records of absences, sick leave, holidays, overtime, and time off. 

• Support employees and managers in using time management tools correctly and follow up on timekeeping discrepancies. 

Benefits administration and invoice processing 

• Oversee benefits administration activities, ensuring enrolments, updates, cancellations, supplier coordination, and employee support are completed accurately and on time. 

• Coordinate and verify the administration of medical subscriptions, life and health insurance, flexible benefits, meal tickets, Bookster subscriptions, and other applicable benefits. 

• Review benefits administration data and outputs, and follow up on corrections where needed. 

• Liaise with benefit providers, brokers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate process execution. 

• Ensure meal ticket orders, UP meal ticket card orders and deactivations, and relevant benefit data are correctly reflected in payroll inputs where applicable. 

• Review assigned supplier invoices in FIORI, follow up on benefit-related invoice discrepancies, and maintain accurate benefits records and reporting. 

Employee payroll and benefits communication 

• Act as a key contact for payroll and benefits queries, ensuring clear, accurate, and timely support. 

• Respond to questions related to payslips, salary payments, taxes, deductions, and benefits. 

• Investigate payroll or benefits discrepancies with providers, suppliers, or internal stakeholders. 

• Guide employees on payroll and benefits processes, tools, deadlines, and documentation requirements. 

HR metrics and cost of labour reporting 

• Prepare, maintain, and validate HR metrics and cost of labour reports for stakeholders and leadership. 

• Prepare reports on headcount, absenteeism, turnover, overtime cost, bonus accruals, time off balances, and other workforce indicators. 

• Consolidate and validate payroll, benefits, overtime, and other employment cost data. 

• Develop recurring and ad hoc reports or dashboards as required. 

• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely delivery of HR reporting data, following up on discrepancies to support reliable workforce cost analysis. 

Compliance, records, and process improvement 

• Ensure compliance with internal policies, labour legislation, payroll requirements, and data protection rules. 

• Maintain accurate and secure payroll, attendance, benefits, reporting, and employee documentation records. 

• Support audit readiness through complete, accurate, and traceable records, including timely provision of payroll, time management, benefits, and reporting data when required. 

• Drive digitalisation and simplification to reduce manual work and data risks. 

• Work with the SDA provider on requests related to seniority certificates, bonuses, length of service reconstructions, and other employment confirmations. 

• Follow the Code of Ethics, Quality Management System, Good Practices, pharmacovigilance requirements, ESMS Policy, HSE procedures, sustainability goals, and Cybersecurity policies and training. 

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS 

Education and experience 

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in payroll management, time management, and benefits administration. 

• Proven experience working with payroll systems, employee data, HR reporting, and time management processes in a fast-paced environment. 

• Experience with HR metrics, payroll cost reporting, or cost of labour analysis is an advantage. 

Technical skills 

• Proficiency in payroll systems, time management tools, and Microsoft Office, especially Excel. 

• Strong understanding of payroll processes, benefits administration, time management systems, and local labour laws. 

• Ability to prepare, validate, and analyse HR metrics, payroll data, and cost-related reports. 

Core competencies 

• Excellent attention to detail, with a strong focus on accuracy in payroll, benefits, reporting, and employee data. 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies efficiently. 

• Ability to handle sensitive employee, payroll, and compensation data with confidentiality and discretion. 

• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise recurring operational deadlines. 

• Clear verbal and written communication skills for supporting employees, providers, and internal stakeholders. 

• Adaptability and the ability to learn new tools, systems, and processes quickly. 

• Fluent English and Romanian language skills for local payroll and employee support. 

Work conditions 

• Occasional travel may be required to support P&O operations across different geographies. 

• The role works in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing multiple payroll, time management, and documentation tasks. 

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS 

To be considered for this role, please apply in our Applicant tracking system and refrain from sending your CV via email. Upon the completion of sourcing (CV collection) period, all received application will be reviewed by our Recruitment experts and evaluated against the needs of the open role. Successful candidates will be contacted by our Recruiting experts for an initial screening interview during which further details about the selection process will be shared. Successful candidates will progress to interviews with line managers, while not selected candidates will be informed in a written form as soon as possible. 

Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act @Zentiva 

At Zentiva, we are a team of 5000 unique talents bonded together by our purpose to provide health and well-being for all generations. We strive daily to create a work culture where everyone feels appreciated, can be their true selves, and contribute to the best of their ability. Seeking for a balanced team across the company, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates with various educational and industry experiences, cultural or ethnical backgrounds, and different life experiences or abilities, regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs or whomever they choose to love. 

Join our winning team! Be a part of our winning culture! Be Zentiva!