Title:  Manager, Payroll

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Global Payroll Director, the Payroll Manager – Malaysia is responsible for leading and overseeing end-to-end payroll operations for a high-volume manufacturing workforce of approximately 2,000 employees based in Penang. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing in accordance with Malaysian statutory requirements, company policies, and global payroll standards.

The Payroll Manager will manage, coach, and develop a local payroll team, oversee payroll systems and vendor partnerships, and act as the primary point of contact for payroll-related matters for Malaysia. The role requires strong leadership, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with complex pay structures, shift arrangements, and regulatory requirements.

In addition to operational excellence, the role partners closely with HR, Finance, Operations, and external agencies to support payroll reporting, audits, compliance activities, system enhancements, and continuous process improvements.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

•    Ensure Malaysia payroll is process accurately, timely and in accordance with statutory requirements.
•    Manage the collation and review of payroll data to ensure all inputs and outputs are accurate.
•    Responsible for post payroll activities – provide GL and accrual for Malaysia.
•    Responsible for accurate and timely monthly statutory and tax submissions, ensuring full compliance with Malaysia’s legislation (EPF, SOCSO, EIS, PCB, etc.)
•    Responsible for year-end income tax reporting 
•    Maintain up to date understanding of regulatory changes and ensure payroll processes remain compliant.
•    Work closely with HR, Finance and other internal stakeholders to ensure payroll data is complete, compliant, and processed in accordance with company policies.
•    Maintain accurate and secure payroll records with supporting documentation for both internal or external audits.
•    Produce and distribute standard payroll and management reports on a monthly or ad-hoc basis.
•    Assist in maintaining, updating, and improving payroll SOPs, checklists, workflows, and related documentation.
•    Work with Tax Agent to manage MTD and YE Tax reporting for employees on International Assignment.
•    Manage and submit CP22 tax registrations for all newly hired employees in compliance with Inland Revenue Board (IRB) requirements, ensuring timely establishment of accurate employee tax records. 
•    Prepare and submit CP21 notifications for employees who resign and depart Malaysia for more than three (3) months, coordinating with IRB to ensure tax clearance and statutory compliance prior to overseas exit.
•    Resignation and Final Administration: Generate final salary slips, ensuring all final payments, deductions, and statutory requirements are accurately processed and documented.
•    Provide support to employees on tax-related enquiries, including individual tax computations, explanation of applicable tax deductions, reliefs, and statutory obligations, in accordance with Malaysian tax regulations.
•    Coordinate and implement CP38 tax deduction instructions issued by IRB and manage required employee EPF contribution rate adjustments, ensuring timely execution and accurate payroll processing.
•    Support internal and external audits, including audits conducted by MIDA, EY, EPF, SOCSO, IRB, and other regulatory bodies, by preparing payroll documentation, statutory records, reconciliations, and responding to audit queries.
•    Supporting the annual e Filing submission of Form BE for Nepalese employees, ensuring compliance with Malaysian personal income tax filing requirements and statutory deadlines.
•    Lead, manage, and develop a local payroll team, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance management 
•    Build team capability through training, cross-skilling, and succession planning 
•    Act as an escalation point for complex payroll issues, employee inquiries, and sensitive cases.
•    Share complete employee working hours reports with site HR operations to support Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) monitoring, verification, and compliance requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

•    Strong understanding of Malaysia payroll concepts and statutory regulations (EPF, SOCSO, EIS, LHDN/PCB) and submission of statutory documents (CP22 & CP8D, etc.)
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to quickly learn payroll or ERP systems.
•    Experience with Excelity/Dayforce e-Pay for manufacturing payroll will be an added advantage.
•    High accuracy in data entry and ability to handle confidential information securely.
•    Ability to identify discrepancies, support payroll checks, and maintain data integrity.
•    Strong collaboration skills when working with HR, Finance, and external vendors.
•    Able to work effectively under tight deadlines, especially during payroll cycles.
•    Adaptable, proactive, self motivated, and eager to learn.
•    Capable of working both independently and in team settings within a fast paced and dynamic environment.
•    Handle payroll-related queries and provide guidance to employees.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential:
•    Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience in a similar role with strong knowledge of Malaysia payroll practices.

Desirable:
•    Experience within a manufacturing environment.
•    Experience with in-house payroll system, including Dayforce e-Pay, is an added advantage.
•    Experience with larger Finance ERP such as SAP / Oracle
•    Experience in global HRIS systems such as Workday / SuccessFactors

EDUCATION:

Essential:
•    Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

BENEFITS:

As part of our total rewards philosophy, we believe in offering and maintaining competitive compensation and benefits programs for our employees to attract and retain a talented, highly engaged workforce. Our compensation programs are focused on equitable, fair pay practices including market-based base pay, an annual pay-for-performance incentive plan, and etc.

In addition to our competitive compensation practices, we offer a strong benefits package in each of the countries in which we operate. In Malaysia., we offer a rich benefits package that includes:

• Medical - health care plan, dental, and vision.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Executive Employee Health Screening package.
• Generous paid time off starting at 15 days and 19 public holidays.
• 98 days of paid maternity leave for Moms and 7 consecutive days of paid paternity leave for Dads.
• AE Child-Of-Employee Scholarship Program.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Career Growth and Learning Opportunity.