Payroll Specialist (m/w/d)

Valmet; Horgau; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Valmet is seeking a Payroll Specialist (m/f/d) in Germany to manage monthly payroll with our external provider, ensuring accuracy and compliance while delivering excellent employee service.

You will maintain employee master data, support time & attendance with Atoss, and act as the link between payroll, HR, and management. Strong knowledge of German payroll regulations and labour law, plus fluent English and German, are essential.

Qualifications

• Completed commercial education, ideally with payroll-related qualification (HR administration or IHK).
• Minimum 2 years of experience in payroll administration.
• Fluent English and German, both written and spoken.
• Solid knowledge of German payroll regulations, income tax, social security, and labor law.
• Experience working with external payroll providers.
• Experience in a collective bargaining environment is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of time & attendance processes; Atoss experience highly desirable.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills with high accuracy.
• Ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly to employees and managers.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate monthly payroll processing with external provider, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
• Maintain, validate and update payroll-related master data and transactions.
• Serve as the interface between payroll provider and internal stakeholders for smooth communication and issue resolution.
• Prepare employment certificates and manage correspondence with health insurance providers, social security institutions, tax authorities and other bodies.
• Support employees and managers with payroll, time & attendance, taxation and social security inquiries, translating complex topics.
• Administer and monitor time management processes, including Atoss time & attendance system.
• Assist with internal and external audits by pension insurance, tax authorities and other regulators.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll and HR administration processes.
• Support HR Generalist activities including onboarding, administration, reporting and collaboration with employee representatives.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Time & attendance

German language

English language

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Commercial training with payroll qualification

Tools

Atoss

Excel

HR systems

Job description

Payroll Specialist (m/f/d)

Are you passionate about payroll and employee services, with a strong eye for detail and a customer-focused mindset?

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to act as the key link between our employees, managers, and external payroll provider, ensuring accurate payroll administration and an excellent employee experience.

Your Responsibilities:

• Prepare and coordinate monthly payroll processing in close collaboration with our external payroll provider, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Maintain, validate, and update payroll-related employee master data and transactional information.
• Act as the key interface between the payroll provider and internal stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication and issue resolution.
• Prepare employment certificates and manage correspondence with health insurance providers, social security institutions, tax authorities, and other external bodies.
• Support employees and managers with payroll, time & attendance, taxation, and social security related inquiries, translating complex payroll topics into clear and understandable guidance.
• Administer and monitor time management processes, including the use of the Atoss time & attendance system.
• Support internal and external audits conducted by pension insurance institutions, tax authorities, and other regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and optimization of payroll and HR administration processes.
• Support broader HR Generalist activities, including onboarding, employee administration, reporting, and collaboration with employee representatives/unions where applicable.
• Participate in HR projects and other special initiatives as required.

What We’re Looking For:

• Completed commercial education, ideally with further qualification in Payroll, HR Administration, or Personnel Management (e.g., Personalkaufmann/-frau IHK).
• Minimum 2 years of experience in payroll administration.
• Good English & German language skills, both written and spoken.
• Solid knowledge of German payroll regulations, income tax, social security, and labor law.
• Experience working with external payroll providers.
• Experience in a collective bargaining environment (e.g., IG Metall) is considered an advantage.
• Strong understanding of time & attendance processes; experience with Atoss is highly desirable.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to explain complex payroll matters clearly and professionally to employees and managers.
• Structured, proactive, and solution-oriented way of working.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.