Senior Payroll Operations Specialist

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

This role serves as a key senior payroll specialist within the GBS H2R Services team for Japan, with responsibility for managing Japan payroll operations and benefits-related processes. The role supports the Team Leader and collaborates closely with Japan HR stakeholders, GBS H2R Dalian team members and third-party vendors across the following service areas:

• Core Japan payroll operations, including payroll calculation, tax, audit support and related operational activities
• Compensation, statutory benefits and related processes
• Time management
• Vendor management
• Employee inquiries
• Support for other Japan-specific statutory, operational and process requirements
• Payroll system support, UAT, parallel runs and related impact management

• Manage end-to-end Japan payroll operations for Corporate and Retail employees, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery in line with local requirements and internal standards;
• Perform validation, reconciliation, exception handling and control checks across payroll outputs, inputs and related HR data to ensure completeness, accuracy and proper support;
• Manage Japan-specific processes covering tax, statutory benefits, year-end activities, audits, reporting, employee inquiries and other local operational requirements;
• Coordinate benefits, time management and HR program impacts, ensuring relevant changes are reflected accurately in downstream processes;
• Support system upgrades, UAT, parallel runs and process transitions, including impact assessment, issue follow-up and change communication with relevant stakeholders;
• Work closely with Japan HR stakeholders, GBS H2R Dalian team members and third-party vendors to ensure smooth service delivery, timely issue resolution and effective vendor management;
• Maintain process documentation, control evidence and work instructions to support review, audit readiness, business continuity and knowledge transfer;
• Identify process risks and improvement opportunities, and drive practical actions to strengthen control effectiveness, service quality and operational efficiency.

Key Relationships

Internal Relationships

• Global Functional Teams
• Japan HR Community, including HRBP, Rewards, Talent Acquisition and Talent Partner teams
• GBS H2R Dalian Team

External Relationships

• Payroll & Social insurance Services Vendors
• Statutory benefits and other local service providers
• Government authorities, external auditors, tax and compliance advisors

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong hands-on knowledge of Japan payroll operations, statutory requirements and local compliance practices;
• Good understanding of Japan tax, statutory benefits, year-end adjustment, social insurance and related employee lifecycle impacts;
• Familiarity with Japan Retail workforce practices, including working hours, overtime, allowances, leave-related payments and attendance/time management processes;
• Experience with leading Japan payroll systems, local time management systems and other HR/payroll-related platforms; system implementation experience is an advantage;
• Advanced Excel and data reconciliation skills; Access, Python, AI or automation experience is an advantage;
• Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail and ability to identify risks, exceptions and improvement opportunities;
• Good communication, stakeholder management and vendor management skills, with the ability to work effectively with Japan HR, GBS teams and external service providers;
• Strong service mindset, ownership and ability to manage priorities independently in a changing environment;
• Continuous learning mindset and willingness to keep local knowledge, process understanding and system capability up to date.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

Professional Background / Experience

Minimum of 7 years of hands-on end-to-end payroll experience in Japan. Experience in the retail industry and with benefits is required. Experience using AI is highly desirable.

Education

Undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience

Regional Knowledge

Strong knowledge of Japan payroll business needs, company rules, local payroll practices, retail payroll implications, local regulations and HR/payroll compliance obligations.

Knowledge of Japan payroll legislation and practices is a must.

Language Skills

Fluent Japanese and good command of spoken English.