Payroll and Benefits Manager

Everrise Department Stores; Kuching; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Everrise Department Stores is seeking an experienced Payroll, Compensation & Benefits professional to lead end-to-end payroll and benefits across our multi-location retail network. You will ensure accurate timely payroll processing, statutory compliance, and robust governance of employee data.

You will partner with HR, Finance and Operations on manpower cost analysis, budgeting, and benefits initiatives, while driving system improvements, automation, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin or related field.
• 5+ years in payroll, compensation & benefits, ideally in multi-location retail.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysian statutory requirements and payroll systems.
• Advanced Excel with large payroll datasets and reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full payroll cycle across multiple locations with compliance.
• Validate payroll data including attendance, overtime, deductions and allowances.
• Ensure payroll reconciliation, variance analysis, and timely reporting.
• Lead payroll audits and maintain documentation for controls.
• Handle payroll queries from employees and stakeholders promptly.
• Collaborate with Operations to ensure accurate inputs from stores and warehouses.
• Manage HRIS data accuracy and generate headcount/cost reports.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Pivot Tables

XLOOKUP

VLOOKUP

Power Query

Power Pivot

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HRIS

Payroll system

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Payroll, Compensation & Benefits professional to lead the end-to-end payroll and benefits function across a multi-location retail environment. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, statutory compliance, employee benefits and welfare programmes, payroll reporting, and strong governance of employee data.

The role will work closely with HR, Finance and Operations on manpower cost analysis, budgeting, compensation and benefits initiatives, while driving improvements in payroll systems, automation and reporting. The ideal candidate should be highly analytical, hands-on with large payroll datasets, strong in advanced Excel, and capable of leading and developing a payroll team.

Job Responsibilities

Payroll Management

• Oversee the full payroll cycle, ensuring accurate, timely processing and adherence to statutory and company requirements within a multi-location retail environment.
• Review and validate payroll data including attendance, shift differentials, overtime, incentives, commissions, claims, and statutory deductions.
• Ensure payroll reconciliation, variance analysis, and reporting are completed accurately and within stipulated timelines.
• Lead payroll audit activities and maintain comprehensive documentation for compliance and internal control purposes.
• Manage and resolve payroll-related queries from employees and stakeholders in a prompt and professional manner.
• Collaborate with Operations to ensure accurate payroll inputs from stores, warehouses, and corporate functions.

Statutory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with statutory contributions (e.g., EPF, SOCSO, EIS, PCB) and applicable labour regulations.
• Monitor and implement updates in statutory and regulatory requirements affecting payroll and employment practices.
• Liaise with relevant authorities on payroll-related submissions, audits, and compliance matters.

Benefits Management

• Oversee the administration of employee benefits programmes including insurance, leave policies, allowances, and retail-specific incentives.
• Conduct periodic compensation and benefits benchmarking to ensure market competitiveness and employee retention.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, insurers, and brokers to ensure effective delivery of benefits programmes.
• Review benefits structures, utilisation, and cost efficiency to ensure sustainability and alignment with business needs.
• Drive enhancements to employee value proposition through innovative benefits and wellness initiatives.
• Organize and coordinate staff yearly welfare programmes such as annual dinners, gatherings, and incentive trips.

Financial Analytics & Rewards

• Analyse manpower costs, compensation trends, and reward effectiveness to support business decision‑making.
• Partner closely with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimisation related to payroll and employee benefits.
• Support the development and execution of reward frameworks that align with performance and business objectives.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure payroll practices and employee records are compliant with labour laws, internal policies, and audit requirements.
• Uphold strict confidentiality and data protection standards for all employee information.
• Review and strengthen policies related to payroll, claims, and benefits to ensure consistency and governance.

HR Systems & Data Management

• Manage payroll systems and HRIS to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and system efficiency.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date employee master data across all business units.
• Generate payroll, headcount, and cost reports to support management insights and decision‑making.
• Drive system enhancements and automation to improve payroll efficiency and reduce manual errors

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in payroll, compensation & benefits, and employee welfare, preferably within a retail or multi‑location environment.
• Strong understanding of Malaysian statutory requirements and labour regulations, with hands‑on experience in payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in payroll reporting, reconciliation, variance analysis, and preparing reports to support management decision‑making.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential, particularly in Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS/COUNTIFS, and handling large payroll datasets. Experience with Power Query, Power Pivot, or Excel automation will be an added advantage.
• Experience in planning and managing employee benefits, welfare, and engagement programmes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across HR, Finance, Operations, and other business functions.
• Good leadership skills with experience managing, coaching, and developing payroll team members.
• Detail‑oriented, organised, and comfortable working with tight payroll timelines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.