Manager - Payroll & Master Data Management

AB InBev GCC was incorporated in 2014 as a strategic partner for Anheuser-Busch InBev. The center leverages the power of data and analytics to drive growth for critical business functions such as operations, finance, people, and technology. The teams are transforming Operations through Tech and Analytics.

Do You Dream Big

We Need You.

Job Description

Job Title: Manager - Payroll & Master Data Management

Location: Bangalore (Onsite)

Reporting to: Senior Manager -Total Rewards

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Manager - Payroll & Master Data Management (Payroll & MDM) is responsible for end-to-end payroll governance, employee master data management, payroll vendor management, compliance, process transformation, and employee experience for India GCC operations.

The role serves as the single point of accountability for payroll accuracy, statutory compliance, payroll controls, vendor performance, process excellence, and HR systems integration. The incumbent will partner with Total Rewards, Finance, HR Business Partners, Legal, Procurement, IT, and external payroll vendors to ensure accurate, compliant, and scalable payroll operations while driving continuous improvement and automation initiatives.

KEY TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Payroll Operations Leadership

Own end-to-end monthly payroll operations for all employee population.

Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing with zero-defect mindset.

Govern payroll calendars, cut-off processes, validations, approvals, and payroll sign-off.

Review payroll outputs, variance reports, reconciliations, and control reports.

Ensure accurate processing of:

• Salary revisions
• Bonus payments
• Incentives
• Allowances
• Reimbursements
• Off-cycle payments
• Recovery transactions
• Final settlements
• Drive payroll service quality and SLA adherence.

Payroll Vendor Governance

Act as primary business owner for payroll outsourcing partners.

Define and govern operational KPIs and SLAs.

Lead governance reviews, audits, and performance discussions.

Manage vendor escalations and risk mitigation plans.

Ensure complete payroll process documentation and knowledge transfer.

Own vendor transition, onboarding, and service continuity programs.

Ensure business continuity planning and disaster recovery readiness.

Master Data Management (MDM)

Govern employee master data lifecycle within Workday and associated HR systems.

Ensure accuracy of:

• Employee records
• Compensation data
• Organizational structures
• Cost center
• Position data
• Leave records
• Lead data quality initiatives and establish preventive controls.
• Drive reduction of manual data corrections through automation and process redesign.

Compliance & Controls

Ensure compliance with:

• Income Tax regulations
• PF regulations
• ESI regulations
• Labour Codes
• Professional Tax
• LWF
• Gratuity
• Data Privacy regulations

Manage payroll audit requirements and statutory inspections.

Drive payroll governance framework and internal controls.

Ensure audit readiness for Internal Audit, External Audit, Finance Audit, and Regulatory reviews.

Own payroll documentation retention and compliance standards.

Systems & Transformation

Act as business lead for payroll technology and integrations.

Manage payroll ecosystem including:

• Workday
• Payroll platforms
• Banking interfaces
• Government portals
• Reporting tools
• Drive automation opportunities using:
• Power BI
• Power Automate
• Python
• Excel automation
• AI-enabled solutions

Lead payroll transformation initiatives and system enhancement projects.

Partner with IT and vendors on implementation, UAT, and production deployments.

Employee Experience & Service Delivery

Own payroll helpdesk strategy and employee communication programs.

Ensure timely resolution of payroll, tax, PF, and compensation-related queries.

Partner with Total Rewards to improve employee payroll experience.

Drive awareness sessions on:

• Tax planning
• Flexible benefits
• Compensation programs
• Payroll processes
• Establish service excellence culture within payroll operations.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Lead payroll and MDM teams to achieve operational excellence.

Build strong relationships with:

• Total Rewards leadership
• HR Business Partners
• Finance
• Procurement
• Legal
• IT
• Global stakeholders

Present payroll metrics, risks, and transformation progress to leadership.

Support strategic Total Rewards initiatives and GCC growth programs.

Mentor and develop team members through structured capability-building plans.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in HR, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or related field.
• MBA / PGDM / Professional qualification preferred.

Experience:

• 8-12 years of HR Operations, Payroll, or Shared Services experience.
• Experience in FP&A will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 4+ years of payroll leadership experience.
• Experience managing payroll for 1,000+ employees.
• Experience managing outsourced payroll vendors.
• Experience in GCC / Shared Services environment preferred.
• Proven experience leading payroll transformation or implementation projects

Technical/Leadership Skills: (Mention any technical, functional or tool related skill in this section)

• Workday HCM
• Payroll Systems
• SAP HR/HCM (preferred)
• Advanced Excel
• Power Query
• Power BI
• Power Automate
• Data Analytics
• Payroll Reconciliation
• Workforce Reporting
• Process Automation
• AI-enabled productivity tools
• Ownership & Accountability
• Strategic Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Vendor Governance
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Influencing without Authority
• Communication & Executive Presence

And above all of this, an undying love for beer!

We dream big to create a future with more cheers.