Payroll Specialist

Coherent; Ipoh; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. is hiring a payroll lead to own end-to-end China payroll, including data collection, validation, calculation and reporting.

You will ensure IIT compliance, social insurance contributions across cities, and year-end filings while acting as an internal SME on China payroll regulations. You will oversee payroll controls, audits and collaboration with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal and external providers.

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 initiatives.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Ensure compliance with China IIT regulations and filings.
• Manage social insurance and housing fund contributions across 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Prepare payroll reports (cost analysis, variance reports, headcount reports).
• Deliver insights on payroll trends and cost optimization.
• 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.

Skills

China payroll

Analytical thinking

Mandarin & English

Cross-functional collaboration

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

CultureCommitment

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!