Payroll Specialist

Coherent Corp.; Ipoh; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is seeking a seasoned Payroll Specialist to own end-to-end payroll for China entities, including IIT compliance, expatriate payroll, and controls. The role requires strong experience with SAP and ADP, and fluency in English and Mandarin to collaborate across HR, Finance, Tax and Legal teams.

You will drive process improvements, lead internal and external payroll audits, and manage vendor relationships while ensuring accurate salary disbursement in a multicultural environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field.
• 4-7 years of hands-on payroll experience with strong China payroll exposure.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems (SAP & ADP) and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly payroll for China entities, including off-cycle runs.
• Oversee full payroll cycle: data collection, validation, calculation, payment, reporting.
• Ensure IIT and social insurance compliance, year-end tax reconciliations, and liaise with HR/Finance/Legal.
• Design payroll controls, review outputs, and lead audits per SOX requirements.
• Collaborate with HR, Tax, Legal and external providers for data integrity and issue resolution.
• Drive payroll process improvements and system implementations across entities.

Skills

Payroll expertise

Chinese payroll

English & Mandarin comms

Independent leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Finance/Accounting/HR

Tools

SAP

ADP

Job description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Payroll Ownership

• Lead and execute monthly payroll for China entities (including off-cycle runs)
• Oversee full payroll cycle: data collection → validation → calculation → payment → reporting
• Perform complex gross-to-net calculations, including bonuses, equity, and expatriate payroll
• Ensure timely and accurate salary disbursement

2. China Statutory Compliance & Expertise

• Ensure compliance with China Individual Income Tax (IIT) regulations and filings
• Manage social insurance and housing fund (SI & HF) contributions across different cities
• Interpret and implement changes in China labor laws and tax policies
• Handle year-end tax reconciliation and annual filings
• Act as internal SME on China payroll regulations

3. Payroll Controls, Audit & Risk Management

• Design and enforce payroll controls and validation checks
• Review payroll outputs and resolve discrepancies
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and ensure compliance with SOX/internal control frameworks

4. Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal and external service providers on data integrity and issue resolution.
• Escalation points for complex payroll issues
• Provide guidance and training to junior payroll staff

5. Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare payroll reports (cost analysis, variance reports, headcount reports)
• Deliver insights on payroll trends and cost optimization

6. Process Improvement & Projects

• Drive payroll process improvements and automation initiatives
• Participate in system implementations or migrations (e.g., Oracle, SAP, ADP) and any ad-hoc payroll or HR related projects as required
• Standardize payroll processes across entities or locations
• Improve data accuracy and operational efficiency

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Finance, Accounting, HR, or related field.
• 4-7 years of hands-on payroll experience, with strong China payroll exposure.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems (SAP & ADP) , compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical & problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication (English & Mandarin) and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work independently and lead inititives

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!