EMEA Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Bring your payroll expertise to the next level! Help build a world-class, future-focused payroll function while working in a dynamic and international environment and join our team in Oss as a:

EMEA Payroll Specialist

Welcome in our team

You will join an HR team of around 50 colleagues, supporting the business across four locations. The HR organization includes HR Business Partners, HR Operations and three Centers of Excellence: Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition and Health.

Within this structure, HR Operations plays a key role in delivering efficient and integrated HR processes, systems and tools, as well as managing Payroll and the HR Shared Service Center.

We are currently looking for a Payroll Specialist based in Oss who will ensure accurate and smooth payroll administration.

About the role  
In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating payroll activities for the Netherlands, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery. Your expertise in EMEA payroll will be essential in driving a seamless and efficient payroll operation, while also playing a key role in ongoing payroll transformation initiatives.

You will have the opportunity to broaden your scope by supporting additional markets across EMEA, further developing your international payroll expertise. Throughout, you will work closely with a collaborative regional payroll team, who will provide guidance and support across all aspects of your role.

As a Payroll Specialist, you bring a continuous improvement mindset, proactively identifying root causes and driving sustainable solutions. You combine your technical expertise with a strong team-oriented approach, demonstrating a passion for delivering high-quality results in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

 
Tasks and responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Ensure accurate, compliant, and timely end-to-end payroll delivery for the Netherlands.
• Coordinate and oversee day-to-day payroll activities, ensuring alignment with service levels and EMEA standards.
• Collaborate closely with external payroll vendors and internal HR teams to deliver consistent and high-quality payroll services.
• Act as a point of contact for payroll-related queries (e.g. salary, tax, and social security), providing clear and supportive guidance.
• Execute monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations and reporting.
• Manage complex payroll cases such as expats and cross-border employees, in collaboration with Global Mobility partners.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with SOX, audits, and local legislation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and support the standardization of payroll and benefits processes.
• Stay up to date with legislative developments and contribute to local and regional payroll projects and initiatives.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, HR or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in payroll administration or a similar role within a multinational environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Dutch payroll systems is required.
• Sound knowledge and experience of multi-country payroll delivery and governance is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of tax and social security regulations, including experience with e-filing.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); Dutch language skills are a strong plus.

What we offer

We welcome you to a truly global, dynamic, and challenging environment with great opportunities for personal development and to show us who you are. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect.

• Competitive salary, 8% holiday allowance and a 3% year-end allowance;
• 35,5 days of leave;
• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates;
• Solid Pension Plan;
• Annual bonus based on own and company performance;
• Travel allowance for commuting;
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: [email protected]

Required Skills:

HR Systems Implementation, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Human Resources (HR), Human Resources Operations, Payroll, Payroll Tax Compliance, Project Management

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

07/5/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.