Job Description

Payroll & Benefits Specialist reports directly to the India Payroll Lead and is responsible for the delivery of payroll services in India. In addition s/he is responsible for directing our efforts to enhance our employer brand and employee experience through the provision of a differentiated benefits offering whilst driving the consolidation of suppliers and managing policy and jurisdictional diversity across the country in a compliant manner.

Responsibilities:- 

Maintaining high standards in payroll compliance and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of laws, regulations, contracts, policies, procedures, and controls governing payroll operations in its jurisdictionDriving organization efficiency, effectiveness and compliance with internal and external audit requirements and standards, sound fiscal practices and performance scorecard.Consistently demonstrating company's leadership standards, clarifying how the changes will help the organization meet business goals and articulates the benefits of change.  Challenges the status quo and creates an environment that adapts to rapid change.  Demonstrates willingness to take calculated risks.  Involves stakeholders to help implement and support change and develops strategies to deal with resistance to change.  Applies systematic thinking to multiple change initiatives.

Essential Function

Time Spent %

1.Payroll Management:

Administer Payroll Data Setup and Maintenance for 2000 employees.Administer determination of gross payment, including flexi-pay elements, one time & variable pay items governed by the local country’s C&B policiesValidate source system data and consult with service provider for determination of net payAdminister pay & respond to general questions on Executive CompensationCoordinate with service provider to set-up inbound/outbound payrollAdminister absence management system, absenteeism reports for pay impact, T&A data governed by local country policyAdminister full & final settlement dues of ex-employeesCoordinate with service provider to administer direct taxation activitiesOversight of Payroll Processes & AdministrationDevelop & implement payroll strategy, policies, procedures, controlsDevelop and maintain payroll applications and technology; defining payroll views and interfaces to internal systems and third partiesAdminister payroll reporting, accounting & reconciliation statements with FinanceGlobal Mobility knowledge for taxes and Cross charge with Finance for, yearly Tax equalization for the assignees and expats.Manage statutory external audits (including SOX, legal, etc.), internal audits (MCAAS), Labour Inspection audits & Statutory Reporting activitiesEnsure availability and proper maintenance of statutory and legal documentations required for audits and serves as point of contact for auditors’ requirements, investigations, and meetings. Manage payroll related historical information and proprietary data of payments and deductionsSOP Driven changes for the Process as an when the law or policies changes.Year End Investments activity from start to end with Annexure 1 & 2  to Tally with Form 16.Hands on experience for Handling investment cases with current year Income tax rule.

2. Benefits Administration:

Implement social security benefits programs and/or changes as governed by the country’s C&B policiesProvide guidance to managers on retirement processes and benefits and respond to general questions about pension and retirement benefits  Administer defined contribution plans (recordkeeping, processing forms, filing, enrolling new hires, etc.)   Administer social security beneficiary enrolment and ongoing changes, benefits transfer and settlement processes, Answer Track and close the query for the employees.Ensure  regulatory and legal compliance of all retirement benefits plans (including audits) PF & EPS query resolution tracking with vendor and also be part of each query to resolve on time for employees active and Ex employees.Revert all employee query related to Flexi benefit deduction for active & inactive employees.

3. Service Delivery Management, Escalation/Improvement:

Manage all escalated service issues as a priority and with enhance future scope for the servicesResolve all issues and evaluate procedures and processes to identify opportunities to improve service moving forwardOversee the identification and analysis of issues based on system data or other available informationLead and prioritize the identification of opportunities for improvement and/or communication based on external market factors (including HR trends, industry, supplier market, economic factors and evolving legislation).Develop a trusted advisor relationship with relevant client contacts through effective communication and efficiencyServe as primary, daily contact to relevant teams on benefits administrationEnsure delivery of high-quality services and products to the business and employees/ retirees with a constant focus on valueCreates clearly defined performance parameters that are agreed upon by all parties involvedMonitors performance, provides feedback, defines or approves/disapproves change control processes, and development of suppliersManage suppliers to ensure high quality of service deliveryAlso manages SLA definition, service level monitoring and provides operational feedback to inform supplier negotiationsOwns and manages the budget for the provision of services by relevant suppliers

4. Change Management:  

Continue to lead all aspects of organizational change and actively participate in strategy development and implementation with benefits administration stakeholders and suppliersComplete change management assessments, assess and analyze the change impactAssist in the creation of change management strategyIdentify, analyse and prepare risk mitigation tacticsIdentify and manage anticipated resistance

Skills/Knowledge Required/Preferred

Proven knowledge and understanding of the HR business model with a particular emphasis upon benefits administration.Strong ability to acquire and process knowledge aligned to the HR portfolio. Knowledge of HR Workflows in a large delivery organization and the administration of a full range of payroll activities.Excellent communication and influencing skills with Strong listening & comprehension skills.Strong interpersonal skills including relationship building & maintaining.Strong attention to detail and follow up; strong analytical skills together with developed business acumen.Demonstrated ability to work in teams and collaborate / partner with others from across the businessStrong IT skills incl. advanced excel & PowerPoint.A solid understanding of how people go through a change and the change process involved.Knowledge on local tax laws, labour laws, tax structures and its impacts on the salary structureAbility to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences.Problem solving and root cause identification skills.Able to work effectively at all levels in an organization.Ability to maintain confidentiality, data privacy and exercise extreme discretionFamiliarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle in an environment that requires an ability to work and plan effectively with minimal direction in ambiguous situations and manage the implementation of the plan

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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:

01/15/2025

*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.

Requisition ID:R327190