Specialist Payroll

Posted on February 12, 2026
Zurich
German
Posted on February 12, 2026

About this role

On behalf of our client, Merck Sharp & Dohme, we are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist for a one-year temporary contract

Task:

  • Independently delivering timely and accurate payroll for multiple assigned entities in compliance with local laws and regulations.
  • Inputting data into databases and spreadsheets.
  • Monitoring standard personnel and salary changes.
  • Processing expats and commuters in coordination with Global Mobility and external providers.
  • Managing all payroll controls for SOX and other audits.
  • Compiling all necessary approvals for bank payments.
  • Contributing to the development and implementation of payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Responding to all internal and external inquiries related to payroll issues, social insurance, and taxation.
  • Contributing to efforts to standardize and improve Payroll & Benefits Administration processes across sites, leveraging best practices and reducing complexity.
  • Collaborating closely with all relevant parties, including the EMEA HR Service Delivery organization, HR Business Partners, and HR Centers of Excellence.
  • Supporting payroll peers with documentation of payroll systems, process optimization, and continuous improvement.
  • Participating in projects and working groups.
  • Payroll Reporting: Assist in generating accurate payroll reports, such as earnings statements, tax reports, and other payroll-related reports. Collaborate with the HR Shared Service team to distribute reports to employees and stakeholders as required.
  • Continuous Learning: Staying updated on payroll best practices, emerging trends, and technology solutions. Attend training sessions and webinars to enhance knowledge of payroll processes, compliance requirements, and software updates.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business or Accounting or another relevant Payroll qualification; in lieu of a degree
  • At least 3 years of experience in a multinational business environment, with focus on Payroll for multiple entities. Experience in HR is a plus
  • Experience with payroll processing with outsourced provider models (ADP, Celergo etc.) and working with HR systems (Workday, SAP)
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to balance and prioritize work
  • Proven ability to maintain confidentiality, strong personal integrity
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to communicate relevant information to all levels of the organization, fluent in English required (written and spoken), German desired
  • Demonstrated ability to work in (international) teams and collaborate / partner effectively at all levels across the organization.

Interested? Then I look forward to receiving your application documents!

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