Global People Operations Manager (m/f/d)

Shopware is a leading ecommerce system that enables companies worldwide to scale quickly and efficiently in digital commerce. As a trendsetting open source solution, Shopware is already used by some of the largest European brands, retailers and manufacturers in the B2C and B2B industries.

We are looking for a Global People Operations Manager to help us deliver a consistent, compliant and thoughtful employee experience across our international workforce. You will own the operational coordination of international and US payroll, employment contracts and country compliance, while partnering closely with Finance, Legal, local counsel, payroll providers and Employer of Record partners.

This is a hands-on role in a fully cross-trained People Operations team. You will have a primary focus on international payroll, contracts and employment compliance, while also supporting German employment processes and other People Operations activities as part of the wider team.

You will play a central role in making international employment work well in practice. Your work will help ensure that employees are paid accurately, contracts are handled thoughtfully, country obligations are managed responsibly and our People Operations team can support the business as it grows.

• International and US payroll

  • Coordinate end-to-end payroll operations across multiple countries and the United States, ensuring accurate and timely delivery.

  • Manage payroll inputs for hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, benefits, leave and other employee lifecycle events.

  • Coordinate payroll calendars, provider submissions, reviews and issue resolution with internal and external partners.

  • Maintain clear payroll documentation, country requirements and operational controls, and support payroll audits when needed.

• Contracts and employment compliance

  • Prepare, coordinate and maintain employment contracts, amendments and other employment documentation across applicable jurisdictions.

  • Coordinate and operationalize country compliance in partnership with local counsel, payroll providers and EORs.

  • Maintain a practical country compliance calendar and playbooks covering employment, payroll, benefits, reporting and statutory obligations.

  • Support country expansion, new employment arrangements and updates to local requirements.

  • Translate complex country requirements into clear, workable People Operations processes.

• Variable compensation and People Operations partnership

  • Coordinate the documentation and administration of bonus plans, target agreements and approved variable-pay changes.

  • Provide accurate payroll and accrual inputs to Finance and help explain employee-related movements or discrepancies.

  • Partner with Finance on payroll data, accruals, reconciliations and audit support; Finance retains ownership of funding, accounting and financial controls.

  • Work closely with Talent Acquisition, People Partners, managers and employees to deliver a smooth employment lifecycle.

• Cross-trained team support

  • Provide backup support for German employment processes and other People Operations activities as part of a fully cross-trained team.

  • Support onboarding, offboarding, employee changes, benefits administration, HRIS maintenance and People Operations projects.

  • Share knowledge, document processes and help build resilient coverage across countries and functions.

• Systems, vendors and continuous improvement

  • Manage day-to-day relationships with payroll providers, EORs, HRIS and contract-management vendors.

  • Help improve and scale our payroll, HRIS, contract and employee-data processes.

  • Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize and automate work while maintaining data quality and compliance.

This is what you’ll bring to the table:

• Experience in international People Operations, global payroll, employment operations, HR operations or a related field.

• Experience coordinating payroll across multiple countries, including the United States.

• Experience preparing or managing employment contracts and employment-related documentation.

• Practical experience working with payroll providers, EORs, local counsel or external employment advisors.

• Working knowledge of international employment, payroll and statutory compliance requirements.

• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment when handling confidential employee and payroll information.

• Experience with HRIS, payroll, contract-management or EOR platforms.

• Excellent communication, organization and stakeholder-management skills.

• Fluency in English (required); German or another European language is a plus.

• A collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute across the full People Operations team.

What success looks like:

• Payroll is accurate, timely and well coordinated across countries.

• Contracts and employment documentation are completed consistently and on time.

• Country compliance obligations are tracked, coordinated and escalated appropriately.

• External providers and advisors are managed effectively.

• The People Operations team provides reliable cross-country coverage, including German employment support.

• Employees and managers receive a clear, responsive and dependable experience.

This is what we offer you:

• Company Culture: Open culture with flat hierarchies, where individual initiative is encouraged.

• Employment Contracts: Permanent positions that offer long-term security.

• Flexibility: Flexible working hours and options for mobile work and full-remote contracts.

• Equipment: Freedom to choose your preferred work hardware.

• Onboarding: Well-structured onboarding with support from a personal "buddy."

• Work Environment: An inspiring environment with dedicated colleagues and a dynamic community.

• Development Opportunities: Diverse opportunities for personal growth and development.

• Additional Benefits: Attractive perks such as company pension plans, health programs, and regular team events.

... and much more!

You can get a detailed insight on our career page.

Protecting your personal data is a top priority for us. You can find our applicant information here.

Location: EU/UK-based, with a preference for Germany or Spain
Team: People Operations