Key Responsibilities :

Compensation Strategy & Program Management :

- Design, implement and administer compensation frameworks including salary structures, incentives, allowances and variable compensation programs

- Lead annual compensation cycles including merit reviews, promotions, market corrections, variable pay and budgeting

- Partner with GCC Finance, HR teams to ensure cost-effectiveness and business alignment of compensation decisions

- Conduct job evaluations, levelling, compensation recommendations and role benchmarking in line with market and internal equity

Recognition & Rewards :

- Design, implement and govern organization- 'wide employee recognition frameworks aligned with compensation philosophy, performance culture and GCC objectives.

- Establish structured recognition programs (monetary and non- 'monetary) that reinforce desired behaviours, Staples values and performance outcomes while ensuring internal equity and consistency for GCC.

- Ensure recognition programs comply with internal governance standards, financial controls and applicable statutory or tax regulations.

- Monitor effectiveness of recognition initiatives through data, participation metrics and employee feedback and continuously refine programs to enhance impact and adoption.

- Manage recognition budgets, approval workflows and payouts in alignment with annual compensation planning and financial governance.

- Drive transparent communication and leader enablement around recognition guidelines, eligibility and best practices aligned with Staples HQ.

- Benchmark recognition practices externally to ensure market relevance and competitiveness while maintaining alignment with Staples HQ compensation principles.

Market Benchmarking & Analytics :

- Lead compensation benchmarking using industry surveys (e.g., Mercer, Aon, WTW or equivalent)

- Analyse market trends and provide insights to leadership on pay competitiveness and talent risks

- Build compensation dashboards and analytics to support decision-making and governance

Benefits & Wellbeing Programs :

- Oversee end-to-end benefits administration including insurance, retirement benefits, wellness programs and flexibility initiatives

- Manage vendor relationships to ensure service quality, cost optimization, and employee satisfaction

- Drive benefit communication and education to improve employee understanding and utilization

Payroll Governance & Compliance :

- Partner with HR Operations and Payroll teams to ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery

- Ensure adherence to statutory requirements including PF, ESI, Gratuity, Bonus, Income Tax and other local regulations

- Support audits, statutory filings and inspections related to compensation and benefits

Governance, Policy & Stakeholder Management :

- Act as a subject matter expert for rewards-related queries from employees, managers, and leadership

- Partner with Staples Rewards COE to localize and implement global compensation initiatives

Continuous Improvement & Transformation :

- Drive process improvements, automation and standardization in C&B processes

- Support HRMS configuration related to compensation, benefits and payroll

- Contribute to HR transformation projects and shared services maturity initiatives

Key Skills & Competencies :

- Strong expertise in compensation design and benefits administration in India

- Sound understanding of Indian statutory and tax regulations

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail

- Ability to influence stakeholders and present insights to senior leaders

- Process-oriented mindset with experience in audits and governance

- Comfortable operating in global, matrixed environments

Experience & Education :

- 8- 10+ years of progressive experience in Compensation & Benefits or Rewards roles

- Experience in large organizations, GCCs, or global companies preferred

- Hands-on experience with compensation benchmarking, surveys and analytics

- Exposure to HRMS / payroll systems is required

- MBA/PGDM in HR, Finance, or related discipline