Senior Manager, Payroll

Job Summary
Drive and elevate the end-to-end payroll agenda for DKSH Malaysia & Brunei, ensuring flawless execution, statutory compliance, and strategic alignment with total-rewards objectives. The role steers payroll operational excellence, safeguards audit readiness, manages third-party partners, and champions continuous process innovation. As the organization’s senior subject-matter expert in payroll governance, systems, and local employment legislation, you provide data-driven insights that strengthen workforce planning, cost management, and employee experience.

General Responsibilities
Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Own the full payroll lifecycle (local & expatriate) for MY and BN, guaranteeing 100 % on-time / error-free delivery in line with all statutory, regulatory, and DKSH governance standards.
• Shape annual payroll budgets, pinpoint cost-saving opportunities, and optimize spend on systems, vendors, and related resources.
• Lead large-scale transformation projects—automation, system upgrades, process re-engineering, and standardization—supporting DKSH’s HR digitalization roadmap.
  
  
  

Payroll Governance & Compliance

• Ensure 100 % compliance with Malaysian & Bruneian regulations (EPF, SOCSO, EIS, PCB, pensions, equity plans, expatriate tax, etc.) and DKSH policies.
• Serve as lead responder for internal / external audits: prepare documentation, coordinate fieldwork, remediate findings, and embed stronger controls.
  
  
  

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Act as the single point of expertise for HRBPs, Finance, Business Leaders, and employees on complex payroll matters.
• Resolve escalated queries or discrepancies quickly, translating lessons learned into process improvements.
  
  
  

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Deliver executive-ready dashboards and deep-dive analytics (cost modelling, trend analysis, benchmarking) that inform strategic reward decisions.
• Monitor market and regulatory changes to keep DKSH at the forefront of competitive, compliant payroll practices.
  
  
  

Functional Skills And Knowledge
Technical & Functional Competencies

• Expert knowledge of MY & BN labor, tax, and social-security legislation
• Advanced Excel / analytics capability
• Hands-on mastery of majoy payroll & HRIS platforms (FLEX, SAP, SuccessFactors, etc.)
  
  
  

Soft Skills

• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with professionalism.
  
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business, Finance, or related discipline.
• 8-10 years’ progressive payroll experience, including ≥ 3 years leading multi-country or large-scale payroll teams.
• Demonstrated success overseeing end-to-end payroll operations, vendor governance, and technology transformations.
• Strong exposure to integrated HRIS ecosystems and data-driven decision-making in a complex, fast-paced environment. (e.g. FLEX, SAP, SuccessFactors, etc.).