HR Operation Manager (Payroll & Compensation)
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Job Summary
Our client a leading organization in the aquaculture industry is looking for a HR Operations Manager (Payroll & Compensation) at group level to lead and oversee Payroll Operations Compensation Administration HR Master Data Governance HR Systems HR Analytics Data Privacy Audit Readiness and Statutory Compliance across their operations in Kenya Rwanda and Tanzania. This is a full time onsite role based in Nairobi will some travel to other country offices.
You will serve as the Group subject matter expert for payroll compensation HR systems employee records and statutory compliance ensuring adherence to local labour laws tax regulations social security obligations pension requirements data privacy legislation and reporting obligations across all operating countries.
You will partner closely with Country HR Teams Finance Internal Audit Legal Technology and Executive Leadership to deliver best-in-class HR operations at scale driving standardisation automation and continuous improvement across the Group.
Payroll management & governance
Lead end-to-end payroll operations across Kenya Rwanda and Tanzania ensuring accurate on-time execution within agreed monthly timelines.
Establish and enforce Group payroll calendars controls approvals reconciliation procedures and SLAs ensuring 100% on-time payroll execution across all countries.
Oversee timely processing of all payroll inputs new hires promotions salary adjustments overtime allowances bonuses deductions and separations including expatriate and cross-border arrangements.
Review and approve payroll variance reports investigate discrepancies prior to payroll closure and act as the primary escalation point for payroll queries.
Drive payroll process automation and continuous improvement initiatives across the Group.
Statutory compliance & regulatory reporting
Ensure full compliance with payroll employment tax pension social security and labour law requirements across all operating countries.
Ensure accurate calculation reconciliation deduction remittance and reporting of all statutory obligations within prescribed legal timelines with zero late filings or penalties.
Monitor legislative changes and proactively implement required payroll and HR process updates; manage relationships with statutory authorities and regulatory bodies.
Coordinate payroll compliance audits support internal and external audit requirements and provide periodic statutory compliance reports to Group HR and Executive Leadership.
Compensation & benefits administration
Administer and maintain Group compensation structures salary bands grading frameworks and compensation policies monitoring internal pay equity across all countries.
Support annual salary reviews compensation benchmarking and market competitiveness assessments; provide insights and recommendations to business and HR leadership.
Oversee administration of employee benefit programmes medical insurance life insurance pension schemes and wellness initiatives ensuring local regulatory compliance.
Support compensation planning during annual budgeting and workforce planning cycles.
HR systems master data & records management
Own the governance integrity and quality of HR master data across all Group entities ensuring completeness accuracy and security within ERPNext and other HR platforms.
Establish standard operating procedures for employee data management HR system administration and employee records governance.
Lead HR systems enhancements testing upgrades and automation projects; promote standardisation and consistent system utilisation across countries.
Ensure employee records organisation structures reporting lines and contracts are maintained accurately and in line with data privacy and information security requirements.
Audit readiness controls & data privacy
Serve as the Group owner for payroll compensation employee records and HR operations audit readiness ensuring processes remain audit-ready at all times.
Establish and maintain a robust HR controls framework with proper segregation of duties approvals reconciliations and access governance; coordinate internal external labour and tax audits.
Act as Group HR custodian for employee data privacy ensuring all employee information is collected processed stored and disposed of in accordance with applicable data protection laws across all countries.
Partner with IT Finance Internal Audit Legal and Risk to strengthen cybersecurity and data protection controls; investigate and manage HR data breaches and privacy incidents.
Monitor audit findings management action plans and remediation activities to ensure timely closure; lead continuous improvement arising from audit and compliance reviews.
HR analytics & reporting
Develop and maintain Group HR dashboards payroll reports workforce analytics and operational KPIs to support decision-making across Group and Country leadership.
Produce monthly payroll headcount compensation turnover and statutory compliance reports; conduct payroll trend analysis and identify cost optimisation opportunities.
Support workforce planning and employee cost forecasting through accurate analytics and reporting.
Bachelors degree in Human Resource Management Business Administration Finance Accounting or a related field.
Professional HR qualification (CHRP CIPD SHRM HRCI or equivalent) preferred; payroll certification or demonstrated payroll management expertise is highly desirable.
Minimum 810 years of progressive HR Operations and Payroll experience with at least 5 years managing payroll and HR operations in a multi-site or multi-country environment.
Strong understanding of payroll taxation statutory deductions labour laws pension regulations and social security frameworks in Kenya Rwanda and Tanzania.
Strong knowledge of HRIS ERP and payroll systems ERPNext experience is an advantage.
Advanced Excel financial reconciliation and HR analytics capabilities.
Strong project management process improvement and stakeholder management skills.
Excellent attention to detail governance mindset and high standards of confidentiality and integrity.
Required Skills:
Bachelors degree in Human Resources Social Sciences or a related field. 46 years of HR experience ideally as an HR Generalist or HRBP with solid exposure to employee relations recruitment and HR operations. Experience in a fast-paced operational or rapidly scaling environment exposure to agriculture manufacturing processing or a similar blue-collar workforce is a strong advantage. Sound working knowledge of the Kenyan Employment Act and general HR best practice. Comfortable working on-site in a farm environment and engaging directly with a large diverse workforce. Fluency in English and Kiswahili is compulsory fluency in Luo is a significant advantage given the organisations strong presence in Western Kenya. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organization. A structured problem-solver with a strong work ethic and the ability to work well under pressure. Good comfort with HR systems and data ability to keep accurate records and work with numbers. IHRM membership and/or CHRP certification is a plus.
