Payroll Specialist

About LG Chem Europe GmbH

LG Chem Europe GmbH, part of the global LG Chem Ltd group, operates in Advanced Materials, Life Science, and Petrochemicals sectors. It serves as the European sales office for aesthetic industry products and technical plastics. With headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, LG Chem employs over 19,500 staff worldwide and is part of the larger LG Group comprising 63 corporate units and 280,000 employees globally.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dedicated Payroll Specialist to join our Human Resources team at the Frankfurt location. This full-time position involves managing payroll activities for various EMEA countries including Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, and Hungary. The specialist will ensure accurate payroll processing, compliance with regulations, and serve as a key contact for payroll-related inquiries.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and validate monthly payroll processing independently for multiple EMEA nations.
• Review payroll outcomes, ensure correctness and compliance; handle post-payroll accounting tasks.
• Act as primary contact for employees and managers regarding payroll matters such as salary payments, deductions, benefits, and tax issues.
• Support monthly and yearly financial closing related to payroll and personnel expenses.
• Collaborate with external payroll companies, tax authorities, and social security bodies as needed.
• Create and update personnel master data; assist with digital personnel file management.
• Allocate payroll-related invoices and personnel costs; reconcile payroll and clearing accounts.
• Support internal and external audits, including those focused on payroll and tax inspections.
• Ensure all payroll procedures meet statutory, tax, and internal control standards.
• Coordinate with HR, Finance, and external HR providers on operational and project-related payroll topics.
• Contribute to process optimization and standardization of payroll across the EMEA region.
• Maintain full compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations to keep payroll and employee data confidential.
• Process and confirm all statutory and company leave types, such as holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and termination payments, in line with local laws.
• Assist with unemployment certificate preparation and ensure documentation accuracy and legal compliance.
• Support income tax declaration preparation for expatriates.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Preferably a completed academic degree or relevant vocational training (e.g., payroll accountant, tax consultant, personnel referent).
• At least three years of practical payroll accounting experience, preferably in a corporate or international setting.
• Strong knowledge of German tax and social security legislation; some understanding of payroll requirements across EMEA is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Microsoft Office applications like Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central/Payroll or similar HRIS systems is desirable.
• Excellent command of German and English, both spoken and written.
• Effective time management and organizational capabilities to meet deadlines accurately.
• Attention to detail, reliability, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Strong understanding of data protection laws, GDPR compliance, and payroll confidentiality standards.
• Analytical mindset with capability to detect discrepancies, assess complex payroll data, and resolve issues efficiently.
• Team-oriented with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits Offered

• Supportive and collegial environment with flexibility to make decisions.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate work-life balance.
• Competitive salary linked to performance and success.
• Travel allowance or parking facilities if available.
• Modern office space with ergonomic workstations.
• Provided laptop and company mobile phone.
• Access to training and opportunities for professional growth.
• Fitness benefits through the FITSEVENELEVEN program.
• Participation in corporate benefit schemes.
• Regular team-building activities.
• Excellent transport links for cars and public transit.