Payroll Manager

Unilever; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across the APAC region. This pivotal role involves ensuring compliance, managing payroll processes, and driving strategic transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll operations, particularly in Southeast Asia, and will be adept at collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance operational excellence. This position offers the opportunity to shape payroll strategies in a dynamic and diverse environment, making a significant impact on the organization’s success.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of payroll operations experience, especially in Southeast Asia.
• Knowledge of SOX controls and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Collaborate with HR and Finance to resolve payroll issues.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership Skills

Project Management

Fluency in English

Integrity

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Job description

Job Title: Payroll Manager

Location: Malaysia

Note: Local conditions apply. We will consider candidates based in specified locations. Applications from outside these locations will only be considered if the company decides to recruit beyond the set locations.

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products daily, Unilever makes a significant impact globally. Our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, believing that doing business ethically drives better performance. We value our people and foster an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible work environment, empowering you to shape your career.

Job Purpose

We seek an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee our payroll operations across the 1UL APAC region, including Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. This role involves managing payroll processes, ensuring compliance, process improvement, and supporting regional transformation initiatives. The position combines regional leadership with strategic transformation responsibilities.

Main Responsibilities

1. Oversee end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing.
2. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including HR, Finance, Global Mobility, and others, to resolve payroll issues.
3. Work with the Center of Expertise (COE) team on vendor management, policy development, and process improvements.
4. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and internal policies through audits and reporting.
5. Generate payroll reports, analyze data, and identify areas for improvement.
6. Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team to achieve operational excellence and growth.
7. Develop plans to mitigate risks internally and externally.
8. Share best practices and knowledge within the payroll and leadership teams.

Candidate Criteria

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• At least 2 years of payroll operations experience, especially in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines preferred). Experience in managing multi-country payroll and vendors is essential.
• Knowledge of SOX controls and compliance requirements.
• Strong financial acumen and strategic thinking skills.

Skills

• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Integrity in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work under pressure in a complex, global environment.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in local languages is a plus.
• Strong leadership, project management, and adaptability skills.

Leadership Qualities

• Results-driven, resilient, and collaborative.
• Customer-focused, humble, and data-driven.
• Inclusive leader who motivates and develops teams, fostering an engaging and high-performance culture.
• Exhibits key leadership behaviors like passion for performance, personal mastery, customer obsession, purpose-driven service, business acumen, and talent development.

The responsibilities are not exhaustive and may evolve with business needs.

Additional Information

This is an office-based role in Malaysia at Unilever Malaysia Unihome. Applicants must have valid work rights in Malaysia. Relocation costs are self-funded unless specified otherwise. Please inform your Line Manager before applying.

Unilever values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. Support and accommodations are available upon request during the recruitment process.