Sr. Analyst (m/w/d) Total Rewards, DACH+

Who we are:
Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies since 16 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role:

The position is part of the HCD People Rewards EMEA team and is responsible for driving value in Payroll Processing Operations and HRIS data management across the DACH+ region, with a particular focus on Germany and Austria. Key responsibilities include managing employee benefits and benefit schemes, compensation data, time recording, absence management, and personnel administration.

Central to the role is acting as a Business Partner and primary point of contact within the HCD DACH+ group for selected Finance counterparts. This includes supporting Finance with analyses for reporting, month/quarter/year-end closings (including accruals and documentation), and serving as the point of contact for external auditors, tax authorities, and social insurance auditors regarding personnel accruals.

The role also involves continuous process optimization and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and regulations.

The Sr. Analyst (m/w/d) Total Rewards, DACH+ will work closely with the HCD EMEA People Rewards Team, reporting into the Manager, Total Rewards DACH+ (based in Darmstadt)

This is a full-time, fixed-term (6 months) role with hybrid working out of our Darmstadt offices.

What you will do:

• Executing orderly and punctual Payroll Processing & Payroll Operation for the DACH+ region, mainly Kao Germany.

• Back up for Kao Manufacturing, Guhl Ikebana, Kao Austria. Including all monthly payroll activities of the country.

• Cooperation with Finance & statutory authorities.

• List and ongoing preparation of payroll process documentation – including of improvement of Payroll processes.

• Specialist for company pension plans including

• Contributing to development and implementation of concepts and strategies

• Monitoring and controlling of payment of contributions, tax and social for defined benefit (e.g. direct commitment) and defined contribution systems (e.g. pension fund).

• Advise managers and employees in all matters of pension plans and long-term time accounts.

• Ensure compliance with statutory and company requirements, employee and service partner remuneration.

• Personnel administration

• Authorities certification management (e.g. health / social / pension insurance, Labor Office / Employment Authority, pension fund, etc.)

• Time keeping & Absence management.

• Responsible for all Benefits

• Employee Benefits administration/coordination.

• Continuous benefits improvement

• Adaptation / design / further development of the benefit models

• Year-End activities

• Support of year end activities, Point of Contact external auditors

• Invoice management

What you will need:

• Successfully completed vocational education, ideally with a focus on HCD, Payroll, Benefits & Compensation, or equivalent.

• 3–5+ years of experience with a proven track record in Payroll Operations and Benefits & Compensation management, preferably across multiple German industries and organizational matrices. Experience in Switzerland and Austria is a plus.

• Strong knowledge of modern HR processes and strategies, payroll operations, personnel administration, and HR controlling.

• Solid understanding of tax and social insurance law, labor law, company pension plans, and garnishments.

• Extensive experience with HR Information Systems, especially SAP HR (indispensable), Workday preferred; good understanding of SAP FI/CO is a plus.

• Business fluent in German and English, both written and spoken; additional languages are an advantage.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

• Excellent presentation, communication, and influencing skills, capable of explaining complex HR matters to non-experts.

• High social competence, able to work confidently across cultures and organizational levels.

• Strong team player with high self-motivation and professional drive.

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/