About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Workday Specialist – Payroll, Compensation & Benefits to join our Workday team.
As our successful Workday – Payroll, Compensation & Benefits Expert you will report into the HCM Global Process Controller and be our SME for the area. You will provide outstanding support to the Business in Payroll and Compensation & Benefits teams, spanning payroll, reward and HR teams.
As the subject matter expert for Workday in payroll, compensation and benefits, you will be responsible for driving the future roadmap in this area. You will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to define processes, analyse efficiencies, test and implement creative solutions. You will use your expert industry knowledge to identify potential enhancements in our process and suggest improvements.
About you
You must be a Workday SME, as well as an excellent understanding of HR processes around payroll, compensation and Benefits.
Previous experience using Workday Payroll (including Holiday Pay), Compensation (including Merit Review) and Benefits, with an ability to do configuration on the system - this is ESSENTIAL to the role
Advanced analytical and technical skills evidenced by playing a role in projects and in a Workday support environment
Previous involvement in building Merit Review processes as well as Time & Attendance and Absence feeding into Workday Payroll
A Workday certification is beneficial but not essential
Excellent oral and written communications skills; with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality in dealing with confidential data and initiatives.
Experience of confidently managing stakeholders
Evidence of collaboration and contribution to previous work environments
Able to self-manage confidently, with good personal productivity and self-motivation
Understand the value of a project plan, adhere to established processes and standards, monitor progress of tasks against plan, and report status to appropriate team members as it relates to project issues.
What’s in it for you?
Competitive salary
Discretionary Bonus
25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts
EV Car Scheme
Cycle to work scheme
About us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 60,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
“To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.”
#LI-CP
Skills Required
- Workday SME with strong understanding of payroll, compensation, and benefits processes
- Previous experience using and configuring Workday Payroll (including Holiday Pay), Compensation (including Merit Review) and Benefits
- Advanced analytical and technical skills from project work or Workday support environments
- Experience building Merit Review processes and integrating Time & Attendance and Absence into Workday Payroll
- Workday certification
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to handle confidential data professionally
- Experience confidently managing stakeholders
- Evidence of collaboration and contribution in prior roles
- Ability to self-manage, demonstrate productivity and self-motivation
- Familiarity with project plans, established processes, monitoring tasks and reporting status
DS Smith Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about DS Smith and has not been reviewed or approved by DS Smith.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered okay to good across many roles, with some plants indicating competitive or above‑market hourly rates for operators and similar positions. This supports a broadly fair perception of base pay even as experiences vary by site.
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. offerings include day‑one medical/vision and dental, employer HSA contributions, and 100% company‑paid life and short/long‑term disability, alongside an EAP. Some role descriptions also highlight mental‑health and fertility options.
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Retirement Support — Packages commonly reference a 401(k) with company match and, in some locations, pension eligibility or company‑funded retirement contributions. This positions retirement benefits as a meaningful component of total rewards.
DS Smith Insights
What We Do
DS Smith provides innovative packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services with a commitment to sustainability and a circular economy. Our core purpose is to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World, and our expert teams work closely with like-minded partners to incorporate renewable resources for products that minimize our environmental impact, reduce complexity and increase profitability through supply chain optimization
