Payroll Manager

About the role

A leading UAE‑based bottled water and FMCG company is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and transform its end‑to‑end payroll function. This strategic position goes beyond routine processing to drive payroll governance, automation, process improvement, pay‑structure revisions, and team leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end payroll processing for a large workforce with a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, confidentiality, and timely delivery.
• Drive pay‑structure reviews and revisions, including salary structures, allowances, grades, increments, and payroll policies.
• Lead payroll automation and digital transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, controls, and turnaround time.
• Oversee payroll reconciliation, reporting, audits, and coordination with HR and Finance.
• Ensure compliance with UAE labour regulations, WPS, EOSB, and company policies.
• Lead payroll system enhancements, integrations, and process improvements.
• Partner with HR leadership on compensation reviews, budgeting, salary revisions, and workforce cost analysis.
• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team while establishing robust SOPs and internal controls.

Required profile

• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 3–5 years in a managerial or supervisory capacity.
• Strong experience managing high‑volume, end‑to‑end payroll operations.
• Proven experience in pay‑structure revision and compensation‑related payroll changes.
• Track record in payroll automation, HRIS/payroll implementation, and process optimisation.
• Deep knowledge of UAE payroll, WPS, EOSB, and labour regulations.
• Advanced Excel skills with strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Excellent people leadership, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or other large‑workforce environments is preferred.

Required skills

• Payroll Processing
• Payroll system enhancements
• HRIS payroll implementation
• Process improvement
• WPS
• EOSB
• Payroll automation
• Pay structure revision
• Payroll governance
• Analytical reporting
• Advanced Excel