PAYROLL SPECIALIST

Kent Pet Group; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent Consumer Brands APAC – KCB Pet Business based in Helensvale, Queensland, Australia, is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to own end-to-end payroll operations, ensure accuracy and compliance, and partner with Finance and People & Culture to deliver a great employee experience.

The role focuses on payroll governance, reporting, system integrity, and continuous improvement across our Australian business and, where applicable, UKG processes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex end-to-end payroll operations in Australia.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, superannuation, taxation and modern awards.
• Experience using UKG or a contemporary payroll system; UKG experience is highly regarded.
• Advanced Excel and payroll reporting skills.
• Proven ability to maintain high confidentiality and professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end payroll cycle in line with contracts and policy.
• Maintain payroll governance, controls, reconciliations and audit-ready records.
• Ensure PAYG withholding, superannuation, payroll tax, leave, and awards compliance.
• Process lifecycle transactions: commencements, changes, bonuses, terminations.
• Collaborate with Finance and People & Culture to deliver accurate reporting.
• Optimise UKG payroll system processes and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency and employee experience.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Australia payroll

UKG

Excel

Payroll reporting

Reconciliations

Internal controls

Audits

Communication

Confidentiality

Tools

UKG Payroll System

Job description

Kent Consumer Brands APAC – KCB Pet Business is seeking an experienced and detail-driven Payroll Specialist to lead accurate, compliant and timely payroll delivery across our business. Based in Helensvale, this role is ideal for a payroll professional who enjoys owning end-to-end payroll operations, improving systems and processes, and partnering with Finance, People & Culture and business leaders to deliver a positive employee experience.

This is a key role within our Finance team, responsible for payroll governance, reporting, compliance, systems accuracy and continuous improvement. You will bring strong technical payroll knowledge, sound judgement and a commitment to confidentiality, service and accuracy.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will manage end-to-end payroll activities and help ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. You will also support payroll compliance, system integrity, reconciliations, reporting and process improvement across the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the end-to-end payroll cycle in line with contracts, legislation, industrial instruments and company policy.
• Maintaining payroll governance, controls, approvals, reconciliations and audit-ready records.
• Ensuring compliance with PAYG withholding, superannuation, payroll tax, leave obligations, statutory reporting and applicable modern awards.
• Processing employee lifecycle transactions including commencements, changes, allowances, deductions, bonuses, terminations and back payments.
• Partnering with Finance, People & Culture and business leaders to provide practical payroll advice and accurate reporting.
• Managing and optimising UKG payroll system processes, including data integrity, configuration, testing, access controls and issue resolution.
• Identifying opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, compliance and the employee experience.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong Australian payroll experience, a high level of accuracy and the confidence to manage payroll priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant experience managing complex end-to-end payroll operations in Australia.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, superannuation, taxation, payroll tax, National Employment Standards and modern award interpretation.
• Experience using UKG or another contemporary payroll system, with UKG experience highly regarded.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting skills.
• Experience with reconciliations, internal controls, audits, system changes and process improvement.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• High levels of confidentiality, discretion and professional judgement.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical payroll function within a values-led business, working closely with Finance, People & Culture and operational stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to contribute to payroll improvement, strengthen systems and controls, and make a genuine impact on the employee experience.