HR Administration & Payroll Manager

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society. By supporting water and energy security, enabling the energy transition and driving the use of circular technologies, we help our customers build a better world. With more than 13’000 employees and 160 world‑class production facilities and service centers across the globe, we are a globally diverse team.

We value the uniqueness of all our colleagues, and we appreciate the contributions that each of us makes to the company’s success. We prioritize your health and safety and are committed to offering a work environment in which you can thrive.

The HR Administration & Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all HR administrative processes and end‑to‑end payroll operations for Switzerland. This role ensures full compliance with Swiss labor law, social security regulations, tax obligations, and internal policies.

• The position acts as the primary point of contact for HR operations, employee lifecycle administration, payroll accuracy, and HR system integrity.
• The role needs hands‑on execution, ensuring efficient HR processes and high‑quality service delivery to employees and managers.
• Act as a trusted HR advisor to managers and senior leaders in Switzerland.
• Manage the full employee lifecycle administration from hire to retire, including onboarding, offboarding, employment contracts, amendments, reference letters, and employee records.
• Coordinate work permits (L, B,
  
  C) and liaise with relevant authorities.
• Ensure timely registration and reporting to social security institutions, pension funds, insurance providers, and family allowance offices.
• Oversee and execute monthly Swiss payroll, including variable compensation, deductions, absences, payroll controls, and reconciliations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding payroll, benefits, and time management matters.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss labour law, internal policies, data protection regulations, and HR governance requirements.
• Maintain and optimize HR systems, ensuring data accuracy, reporting reliability, and efficient HR operations.
• Drive process improvements, standardization initiatives, and support the implementation of new HR tools and digital solutions.
• Support annual compensation and performance cycles, payroll audits, year‑end reporting, salary certificates, and close collaboration with Finance; experience with Workday and Swiss payroll providers is highly desired.

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Several years of experience in HR administration and Swiss payroll (mandatory).
• Strong understanding of Swiss labour law, social security system, taxes, and employment compliance.
• Experience in multinational environments is an asset.
• Strong MS Office and HRIS proficiency; payroll system expertise required.
• Fluent in German and English.
• Working time: 80 - 100 %.
• No visa or work permit support can be provided for this role.

Do you have a question about the role? Reach out to Izabella Wattinger at

• 25 days holidays (exclusive of bank holidays) + service days
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Program/health care
• On-site car parking/public transport allowance
• Access to a wide range of discounts

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment. We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.