Payroll Manager (F&B)

Independent Food Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and beverage company in Dubai is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee payroll operations for over 2,000 employees. The role requires strong leadership skills, expertise in UAE labor laws, and experience with payroll systems. The successful candidate will ensure accurate processing of salaries and compliance with statutory requirements while leading the payroll team in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Experience managing payroll for 2,000+ employees.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labor laws and WPS regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full payroll cycle and ensure timely salary processing.
• Manage the payroll team and act as the point of contact for payroll matters.
• Ensure compliance with Emiratization initiatives and statutory regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem-solving

Discretion and confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, or Finance

Master’s degree or CIPD certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HRMS payroll systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.)

Job description

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Payroll Manager to lead the payroll function at Independent Food Company. The successful candidate will manage end-to-end payroll operations for a workforce of over 2,000 employees across multiple F&B concepts. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, deep understanding of UAE labor law and statutory requirements, and proven leadership in managing large-scale payroll systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full payroll cycle, ensuring timely and accurate salary processing each month.
• Lead the payroll team and act as the point of contact for all payroll-related matters.
• Validate and approve payroll data, including incentives, bonuses, deductions, increments, final settlements, and resignations.
• Ensure accurate processing of end-of-service benefits, leave salaries, and gratuity in compliance with UAE labor law.
• Manage time and attendance systems, ensuring regularization and synchronization with payroll.
• Coordinate with the Finance department to facilitate salary disbursements and reconciliations.
• Prepare and present monthly payroll MIS reports and analytics to senior management.
• Ensure full compliance with Emiratization initiatives such as GPSSA, Nafis, and other statutory regulations.
• Maintain and regularly audit payroll records, ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality.
• Support internal and external payroll audits and ensure documentation is always audit-ready.
• Keep abreast of labor law updates, social security changes, and best practices in payroll management.
• Train and develop payroll team members to ensure consistent and high-quality delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or a related field (Master’s or CIPD certification is a plus).
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in payroll, with at least 3+ years in a managerial role, ideally in the F&B, hospitality, or manufacturing industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing payroll for 2,000+ employees.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labor laws, WPS regulations, end-of-service calculations, and other statutory requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced skills required).
• Experience with HRMS payroll systems (SAP, Oracle, HR Works, or similar platforms).
• Strong understanding of Emiratization processes, including GPSSA and Nafis reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.