International Payroll & Support Manager

International Payroll amd Support Manager

(Full-time: 38 hours per week)

Are you ready to take on a key role in which you are responsible for payroll and HR support activities across multiple countries? Action is growing internationally at a rapid pace and we are looking for an experienced International Payroll & Support Manager to strengthen our HR Services leadership team. In this role, you work together with your colleagues to ensure that around 100,000 employees receive their salary correctly and on time every month, while shaping the global payroll strategy that supports our ambitious growth.

This is your daily Action

As International Payroll & Support Manager, you work closely with your colleague Manager International Payroll & Support and report directly to the Head of HR Services. Together, you are responsible for payroll and support services across 15 countries — a number that grows annually as Action continues to expand. You ensure that payroll processes run smoothly, compliantly and consistently across all regions.

Your responsibilities include defining and executing the international payroll and support strategy, leading central and international teams and maintaining strong partnerships with external payroll providers. You monitor payroll performance across all countries, develop dashboards and KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives that deliver operational excellence.

Meet your team

You are part of the HR Services management team and work closely with your payroll colleagues, the Compensation & Benefits team, HR project managers, IT and HRIS. Together, you deliver high-quality, standardised payroll and support services and ensure an optimal employee experience across Europe.

At Action, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. You lead an international team of payroll specialists at headquarters as well as Payroll Managers and Team Coordinators in the countries. By encouraging knowledge sharing, providing coaching and supporting ongoing development, you enable your teams to deliver payroll excellence every single month.

Curious about your new team members? Your future colleagues Mieke, Natasja and Stephanie can’t wait to work with you!

This is you

You are an experienced Manager with a natural feel for people, processes and organisation. You know how to inspire, develop and elevate a team. You are pragmatic and highly organised, thriving in complex environments while bringing structure and clarity where it is needed. You have a background in HR and a strong affinity with payroll, and you understand the operational complexity that comes with it. Your true added value lies in your leadership qualities and your ability to build and grow a team while continuously driving improvements. You are strong in stakeholder management, comfortable collaborating at all levels, and have a proven track record of leading change trajectories and large-scale projects.

In addition, you bring:

• A completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or HR
• At least 8 years of experience in international HR or payroll management roles
• Demonstrable experience leading central and international teams
• Strong project management skills and experience with large payroll transitions
• Expertise in digital HR processes (experience with SAP SuccessFactors / knowledge of payroll systems and ECP is an advantage)
• Excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English

What we offer

Surprisingly much! From our international headquarters in the Netherlands you have an impact on what happens in our stores across Europe. We welcome more than 15 million customers every week in more than 3,000 stores in 15 European countries. We have great growth ambitions. For Action and for you. Because our growth means that you can always take new steps. A different position, an interesting innovation project, new skills: you can continue to develop as a professional. And all this in a culture where our shared values are truly lived: customer focus, teamwork, simplicity, discipline, cost conscious and respect.

Did you know that you can also count on us for:

• 24 vacation days (based on a 38-hour work week), with the option to buy 5 extra days
• An attractive annual bonus based on personal and company performance
• A lease car or mobility allowance (Zwaagdijk-Oost is traffic jam-free and only 45 minutes by car from Amsterdam)
• A comprehensive pension plan and collective health insurance
• 15% staff discount in Action stores
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (40% from home)

How we contribute to society

If you only know Action from the stores, a world will open up for you when you come and work with us. We sponsor more than 213,000 children worldwide who grow up in SOS Children’s Villages. Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, with more than 150 nationalities. We are proud that 100% of our wood, cotton and chocolate is sourced sustainably. Our short-term climate targets are fully aligned with the Paris Agreement and have been approved by the SBTi. Every part of our organisation is working towards a greener future: our stores, distribution centres and offices use energy-efficient LED lighting and our stores are already gas-free. This is also Action. Curious about these and other initiatives you can be part of? Join our team and find out for yourself.

Interested?

We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and we warmly invite anyone who recognises themselves in the vacancy to apply. So take action and respond to this vacancy now!

What happens next:

1. Response to your application within 14 days (and usually earlier)
2. First meeting with the manager and a colleague
3. Online assessment to get to know you better
4. Second interview with your recruiter, among others
5. Welcome to Action…

Throughout the process, your recruiter is your permanent point of contact and is available to answer any questions you may have.

Integrity is very important to us. Pre-employment screening is therefore part of the process for this vacancy. Ask your recruiter for more information.