Payroll Specialist (12-Months)

Cooper Vision Contact Lens Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CooperVision Contact Lens Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll across APAC entities within a Shared Service Centre. You will ensure regulatory compliance, accurate processing, and timely responses to employee inquiries.

You will drive payroll transformation projects across APAC, partnering with Finance, HR, vendors and IT, and support audits and statutory filings.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of payroll management experience across APAC
• Experience with multi-country payroll and SSC environments
• Bachelor’s degree in business, HR, accounting or finance; payroll qualification preferred
• Prolonged sitting in an office environment

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end payroll for APAC countries monthly
• Ensure statutory filings and tax compliance across countries
• Maintain accurate employee records and update payroll systems
• Respond to payroll inquiries promptly and professionally
• Collaborate with external payroll vendors and IT for system upgrades
• Support internal and external audits with payroll documentation
• Monitor time and attendance data for payroll accuracy
• Identify and implement process improvements in payroll operations
• Drive payroll transformation projects across APAC
• Protect confidentiality of payroll data and maintain privacy measures

Skills

Payroll management

Regulatory compliance

Data accuracy

Analytical skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Stakeholder management

Payroll systems

Time management

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, HR, accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Oracle/SAP B1

Job description

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for employees across multiple entities or countries within the APAC region. Operating within a Shared Service Centre environment, this role ensures compliance with local regulations, internal policies and SOX controls, while delivering high-quality support to internal stakeholders. This position will also participate and drive the payroll transformation & implementation project for APAC, partnering with Finance, Human Resource, payroll service providers and IT.

Key responsibilities include:

Payroll Processing:Process end-to-end payroll for multiple countries, including payroll information compilation, salary calculations, statutory deductions, adjustments, uploading bank files, and arranging payments for monthly statutory reimbursements. Respond to employee inquiries related to payroll, taxation, and benefits in a timely and professional manner.

Compliance: Ensure compliance with statutory requirements (e.g., local labour laws, tax regulations, CPF, social security, etc.), company policies and internal controls.

Data Management:Maintain accurate employee records and update payroll systems with changes such as promotions, terminations, and transfers.

Time and Attendance:Monitor employees’ time and leave records to ensure accurate payroll calculations.

Issue Resolution:Address and resolve payroll-related queries or discrepancies raised by employees or stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.

Reporting:Prepare payroll reports for management and finance teams, including reconciliations, payroll accruals, and audit documentation.

Process Improvement:Identify opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency and implement best practices. Participate in payroll system upgrades, testing, and process improvement initiatives.

Vendor Management:Collaborate closely with external payroll vendors to ensure service quality and compliance.

Payroll Project SME:Act as a subject matter expert (SME) and work closely with Head of Payroll, APAC on payroll system migration and other payroll-related projects.

Audit Support:Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll-related documentation and responding to audit queries.

Statutory Filings:Ensure timely and accurate submission of payroll-related statutory filings and payments.

Ensures confidentiality of sensitive data and protects payroll operations by keeping payroll information confidential.

Develops and maintains strong relationships with the Human Resources and Finance, in order to be a trusted business partner.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills: strong people and relationship management skills working with diverse stakeholders, service providers internally and externally
• Solid understanding of payroll systems and regulations: a strong working knowledge of payroll, applicable laws and regulations in several countries within APAC region.
• Strong attention to detail: meticulous with great attention to detail; must be well organised and able to multi-tasking.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Posses’ good communication & sound presentation skills.
• Discreet with the ability to handle confidential and sensitive situations.
• Able to work within a team environment
• Tech Savy: Have a good understanding of payroll system behaviour.
• Experience of reviewing systems, processes, data and making recommendations for change to ensure continual service improvement.

Experience

• 3-5 years of payroll management experience across multiple countries in APAC (Australia, Singapore and China payroll management experience preferred)
• Experience in reviewing systems and processes, and payroll data, making recommendations for change to ensure payroll process continuous improvement.
• Hands on shared service payroll experience will be an added advantage.
• Experience with Oracle/SAPB1 is a plus
• Prolonged sitting in front of a computer in an office environment
• Minimal travel in APAC region

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, HR, accounting, finance, or related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Whilst a recognised payroll qualification is preferred, applicants with equivalent knowledge and expertise obtained via experience will be considered.