Payroll Specialist at Unilever

Job Title: Payroll Specialist at Unilever

Date Posted: 20th January, 2026.

Expiry Date: January 27, 2026

About the Job

The overall purpose of this role is to manage, supervise and deliver the country payroll within the given timelines and to provide reward operational support to Expertise Teams, HRBP’s, People Partners and DSs. The role will provide support to the Finance teams in the relevant reporting cycles.

Your Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

Process accurate and timely payroll for country remittance of data to bank through accounts payable, including payroll accounting and reconciliation.
Deliver payroll services by managing payroll personnel.
Generate monthly reports and SLAs for payroll.
Monitor payroll processes to meet legal compliance and COBP requirements.
Provide payroll KPIs reports and data as required.
Manage processing of statutory deductions and remittance of data to finance for payments to institutions and retirees.
Participate in pension cycle briefs – support preparations for pension annual general meetings and cascades to country teams.
Input payroll systems against new reward cycles, collective bargaining agreements, and Time & Attendance data for payroll accuracy.
Process statutory deductions reports and remit to finance for pay-outs (e.g., tax, National Social Security, Pension, Co-operatives).
Prepare monthly payroll Service Level Agreement reporting (CSR).
Lead payroll projects and process improvement initiatives, liaising with IT and third parties.
Prepare annual reports and manage end-of-year processes (e.g., taxation, write-off).
Ensure implementation of payroll project changes, process improvements, and adjustments.
Provide ad-hoc data and supplementary reports as required.
Manage reward and payroll-related communication (schedules, guidelines).
Manage customer expectations and payroll queries – issues escalated by helpdesk officers/WFA assistants.

Reward

Reward Operations & Administration: Manage implementation of reward policies, administer reward-related systems, and prepare periodic reward-related reports.
My Reward: Maintain country reward data in My Reward (Total Reward System).
Benefits Administration: Administer local pension and benefit schemes, interface with employees and stakeholders (e.g., pensions, finance, treasury, legal, company doctor), and monitor tax compliance of all employee benefits, including International Assignees’ allowances and benefits.
Key Employee Moments Support: Serve as point of contact for reward-related queries across employee touchpoints during their tenure.
Long Service Awards/Recognition Schemes: Manage end-to-end administration of both schemes.
Salary Surveys and Market Benchmarking: Support the Reward Expertise Team on benchmarking and survey activities.

The Job Requirements

Experience and Qualifications

Degree in relevant field

3–4 years’ experience in Payroll and Reward

Good understanding of Unilever HR principles and framework

Experience working with Payroll software

Experience using Workday and Onepay is an added advantage

Excellent MS Excel skills (formulas, v-lookups, macros, graphs, and data manipulation)

Strong analytical skills

Working knowledge of HRMIS and other MS Office applications

High attention to detail and accuracy

Results driven

Excellent planning and organising skills

Effective communication skills – verbal and written

Honesty & Integrity

Problem-solving skills

Team Player

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Skills

Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse data and make informed decisions
Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in all aspects of reward management
Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills
Team Collaboration: Working effectively with colleagues and stakeholders
Problem-Solving: Identifying issues and developing practical solutions
Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and ensuring fair practices
Operational Excellence: Deliver with excellence
Independent Work: Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively

Leadership

You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way. As an individual, you are responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and observant, using evidence and data to spot issues and opportunities for improvement.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and supporting the continued development of employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity.

Method of Application: Click on this link to get detailed information and apply