Senior HR Specialist Payroll (f/m/d) - limited to 2 years
Join Yazaki. Connect to the future.
Country: Germany (DE)
City: Köln
Worksite / Location: Cologne Ossendorf
Job Function: CEO_Human Resources
Job Discipline:
Job Family: Operational HR
Founded in 1929, Yazaki is a Japanese full systems supplier of wire harness, electrical, data products and solutions enabling vehicle electrification, connectivity, and autonomy integration. More than 235,000 committed and highly motivated employees in 45 countries make us one of the most successful international automotive suppliers. Join a family-owned company committed to being environmentally friendly in every aspect of its business, contributing to society, and inspiring trust.
Are you passionate about payroll, international HR processes, and digital transformation? We are looking for a motivated Senior HR Specialist Payroll (m/f/d) to join our HR team. In this role, you will ensure accurate payroll operations across multiple countries while driving process improvements and supporting our employees and managers with professional HR services.
Your Responsibilities
* Payroll & Accruals: Manage salaries, HR accruals and all payroll activities, ensuring correct and punctual salary payouts in line with legal requirements and company regulations across Sweden, Germany, Lithuania, and Hungary.
* HR Reporting: Prepare and manage diverse payroll and HR KPI reports, both in SAP and with external providers.
* Audit & Compliance: Coordinate and manage local HR audits to ensure compliance with tax, labor and social security laws.
* Process Optimization & Digitalization: Continuously improve payroll and HR processes in close collaboration with internal and external partners. Drive digitalization projects in payroll and beyond.
* SuccessFactors Super User: Act as system super user, implementing updates and new features (e.g. Time Sheet) together with IT.
* HR Projects & International Assignments: Lead HR Admin & Services projects (e.g. ADP, Seralla) and manage international assignment payroll processes, including tax equalization and shadow payroll.
* Data Accuracy & Communication: Ensure high-quality HR data in OneHR to support data-driven decision-making. Serve as key contact for employees and managers on payroll, benefits, pensions, and certificates, while maintaining strong relationships with external providers.
Your Profile
* Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources (focus on Payroll) or equivalent qualification (e.g. certified payroll specialist).
* Solid knowledge of tax, labor law, and German social security regulations.
* 4–6 years of relevant professional experience.
* Strong SAP skills, ideally with payroll focus.
* Very good communication skills in German and English.
* Hands-on mentality, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in an international environment.
What We Offer
* Competitive compensation and benefits package
* Food allowance for external service partners
* The opportunity to take ownership of payroll processes across multiple countries.
* Exciting projects in HR digitalization and process optimization.
* Flexible working hours and flexitime, allowing you to balance work and personal life.
* A collaborative team and continuous personal development opportunities.
At Yazaki, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for everyone which extends to all aspects of the employment relationship.
We are looking forward to receiving your application and to get to know you. Please apply by clicking the 'Apply Now' button. We wish you all the success in your application
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