Specialist/Senior Specialist, Payroll, EMEA

2015 UPM-Kymmene Sp.z o.o.; Kraków; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

UPM-Kymmene Sp.z o.o. in Kraków seeks a Specialist/Senior Specialist, Payroll, EMEA to join our international payroll team.

You will manage end-to-end payroll for multiple countries within the EMEA region, with focus on France, Belgium and Germany, coordinating with external vendors and internal partners. The role requires 3–5+ years of multi-country payroll experience, proficiency with HRIS/payroll tech (Workday) and strong Excel, plus fluency in English.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in multi-country payroll operations.
• Experience handling payroll for France, Belgium and/or Germany is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with HRIS/Payroll technologies and advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly payroll processing for multiple entities in the EMEA region.
• Coordinate data flows with external payroll providers and local service partners.
• Perform pre/post payroll reconciliations, audits, and tax/benefits checks.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.
• Collaborate with Finance, HR and People Operations on reconciliations and year-end activities.
• Provide escalation support for payroll inquiries and issues.
• Participate in payroll improvement projects and standardization efforts.

Skills

Payroll management

Cross-border coordination

MS Excel

English fluency

Tools

Workday

Job description

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values - trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

We are looking for a Specialist/Senior Specialist, Payroll, EMEA to join our international Payroll team. The location for this role is Kraków, Poland.

Greetings from your future manager "In this role, you will be part of an experienced and engaged community of payroll professionals, working collaboratively across borders to ensure accurate and compliant payroll operations. You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll cycle for multiple countries within the EMEA region - with highly valued expertise in one or more of the following countries: France, Belgium and Germany. Acting as the primary bridge between the company and our external payroll vendors, you will ensure seamless execution. If you see yourself in this role," - Francesco Di Domenico, Manager, Payroll Services EMEA

What you will do

• Oversee and coordinate the monthly payroll processing cycle for multiple legal entities across the EMEA region (with specific focus or exposure to countries such as France, Belgium and Germany), ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Partner closely with external payroll providers and local service partners to manage data flows (attendances, variable pay, benefits, and master data changes) and monitor service level agreements (SLAs)
• Perform pre-payroll and post-payroll reconciliations, audits, and quality checks on reports provided by external vendors to guarantee correct salary disbursements, tax calculations, and social security payments
• Ensure that all regional payroll processes comply with local labor laws, tax regulations, and statutory reporting requirements, leveraging the expertise of local providers and advisors
• Work closely with Finance, HR, and People Operations to support accounting reconciliations, general ledger postings, year-end closing, and internal/external audits
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll inquiries from employees regarding pay slips, local tax deductions, or benefits
• Participate in continuous improvement projects, process optimizations, and the implementation of standardized multi-country payroll frameworks and digital tools

Who you are

• You have solid professional experience (3-5+ years for Specialist; 5+ years for Senior Specialist) in managing multi-country payroll operations, preferably within international corporate environments or global payroll service providers
• You have direct knowledge and proven experience handling payroll operations for France, Belgium and/or Germany will be highly appreciated and considered a strong asset
• You possess strong expertise in payroll administration, compensation-related tax structures, and social security requirements within the EMEA region. You are familiar with HRIS/Payroll technologies (e.g., Workday) and advanced proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel)
• You have proven ability to manage relationships with external payroll vendors and coordinate effectively across various internal and external stakeholders
• You are organized, meticulous, and capable of managing strict deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
• You have very good interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative mindset and strong problem-solving capabilities
• You are fluent in English (written and spoken); knowledge of additional European languages (such as French and German) will be considered an asset

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose "We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils". Our work is impactful and transformative.
• A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.
• Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.
• Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Additional information

This position offers a hybrid working model, combining remote work from home with regular on-site collaboration.

The position holder will report to Manager, Payroll Services EMEA.

For further information about the role, please contact Francesco Di Domenico, Manager, Payroll Services EMEA at [e-mail].