Episode 165

How Amazon Scaled Payroll for 1.7 Million Employees | Gregory Harmer

Today's Payroll podcast episode is brought to you by Deel, the all-in-one Global People Platform that simplifies how you pay your global team. Deel’s fully-managed global payroll makes it possible to pay your entire team in over 100 countries and in over 200 currencies, all in one place. 

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Welcome to another episode of the Payroll Podcast, hosted by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment Group.


In this episode, we are joined by Gregory Harmer, Global Leader of Payroll at Amazon Services, who has led the monumental task of scaling Amazon's payroll operations from 70,000 employees to 1.7 million employees across 63 countries.


With over 30 years of experience managing global payroll systems for Fortune 500 companies, Gregory shares insights into the complexity of payroll operations, the power of real-time pay, and the leadership challenges of managing one of the world’s largest workforces.


Key Topics Discussed:

  • Scaling Global Payroll: How Amazon successfully scaled its payroll to manage 1.7 million employees and the strategies that ensured seamless operations.
  • Innovation in Payroll Systems: Gregory’s creation of the Amazon Anytime Pay feature, giving employees access to real-time pay and reshaping payroll expectations worldwide.
  • Leadership and People Development: Lessons in leadership from Gregory's extensive career, and how non-traditional career paths can lead to success in payroll management.
  • The Future of Payroll: Gregory’s predictions for payroll technology, including AI-driven solutions and interactive payslips that enhance employee trust and understanding.


If you’re looking to streamline your payroll processes or learn about the cutting-edge developments in the payroll industry, this episode is a must-watch!



Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e


Gregory Harmer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-russell-harmer-ba55454/


Nick Day’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/



If you need the support of a payroll recruitment agency or a payroll staffing partner to help fill your next payroll vacancy, please please contact me!  I possess over 20 years of payroll recruitment agency expertise and I would love to help! nick@jgarecruitment.com or call 01727 800377


Find out more at www.jgarecruitment.com


Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!



(00:00) The Importance of Payroll

(04:26) Gregory Harmer’s Payroll Journey

(13:37) Leadership in Payroll

(16:20) How Does Amazon Approach Inclusivity?

(24:31) Scaling Amazon’s Payroll Operations

(33:47) Amazon’s Payroll Challenges

(38:38) The Impact of Accelerating Payroll Cycles

(45:49) Anytime Pay: Amazon’s Real-Time Pay System

(53:16) Future of Payroll Technology

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About the Podcast

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The Payroll Podcast
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About your host

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Nick Day

Nick Day is a globally recognised thought leader in the payroll and HR industry, with over 20 years of experience as the founder and CEO of JGA Recruitment.

As an ILM 7 qualified Executive Coach and Mentor, Nick has dedicated his career to guiding CHROs, entrepreneurs, and payroll industry leaders worldwide.
Nick received the PAYO Global Vision Award in 2024 and was also voted one of Thinkers360’s "Top Voices EMEA" the same year.

In 2023, Thinkers360 ranked Nick as the #1 Global "Thought Leader in Payroll” and #9 Global "Thought Leader in HR.” That same year, he received the Recruitment Leaders Leader Award (RDLC) and the Personality of the Year title at the Reward Strategy Leadership Awards.

Nick's deep knowledge of the payroll industry and his coaching expertise make him a sought-after speaker and mentor for payroll and HR leaders. His presentations are known for their interactive elements, real-world applications, and actionable takeaways, ensuring attendees leave with a clear path to enhance their leadership capabilities.

Nick Day has a rich history of delivering impactful presentations, keynote speeches and workshops at various industry conferences and events. His engaging speaking style and practical insights have earned him recognition as a leading voice in payroll leadership.