LATAM HR Operations Payroll Specialist

Job description

Who will you be working with? We are team of curious, passionate, process efficient, customer centric HR professionals! We are driving a global HR operations transformation for Wabtec that will position the HR function to shift towards best in class for HR Service Delivery. The Payroll Specialist will support payroll-related activities for employees in Brazil, ensuring compliance with local labor, tax, and social security regulations.

This role requires practical knowledge of Brazilian payroll processes and attention to detail, while collaborating with internal teams and vendors to ensure accurate and timely payroll execution. The team collaborates closely with HR Business Partners to foster positive employee relations by implementing effective, efficient, and reliable HR strategies and practices that align with the Global HR Operation model, ensuring adherence to processes and policies while maintaining compliance with employment laws.

Additionally, the team works in partnership with other Centers of Expertise (such as Talent Acquisition, HRIS, HRDP, Compensation & Benefits, and Legal) to design and implement HR business processes. How will you make a difference? The LATAM HR Operations Payroll Specialist is part of the HR Shared Services Team. support payroll-related activities for employees in Brazil, ensuring compliance with local labor, tax, and social security regulations.

The individual will work closely with the other members of the HR Ops team to ensure strong customer service to the business and to drive efficiency by leveraging established processes and guides to transact and answers HR inquiries. What do we want to know about you? Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, HR, or related field. Strong experience in payroll operations in Brazil. Strong knowledge of Brazilian labor and social security legislation.

Experience with payroll systems (ADP, LG, TOTVS preferred). Intermediate Excel skills; familiarity with HR systems (Workday, Oracle) is a plus. Advanced English; Spanish is a plus.

Competencies

Attention to detail and accuracy. Strong organizational and time management skills. Clear and collaborative communication. Proactive and solution-oriented mindset. Commitment to confidentiality and data protection. What will your typical day look like? Process monthly payroll, including salary, vacation pay, 13th salary, bonuses, and terminations. Validate payroll inputs (overtime, benefits, deductions, variable compensation).

Ensure compliance with CLT, INSS, FGTS, and eSocial requirements. Respond to employee payroll inquiries and provide excellent customer service. Partner with payroll vendors to monitor deliverables and deadlines. Prepare reports for HR and Finance teams. Support audits by organizing payroll documentation. Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation.