Payroll Manager

DFI Retail Group (“Group”) is a leading pan-Asian retailer. At 30th June 2021, the Group and its associates and joint ventures operated over 10,000 outlets and employed some 230,000 team members. The Group had total annual sales in 2020 exceeding US$28 billion.

The Group provides quality and value to Asian consumers by offering leading brands, a compelling retail experience and great service; all delivered through a strong store network supported by efficient supply chains.

The Group (including associates and joint ventures) operates under a number of well-known brands across food, health and beauty, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailing.

The Group’s parent company, Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, is incorporated in Bermuda and has a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group's businesses are managed from Hong Kong by Dairy Farm Management Services Limited through its regional offices.

DFI Retail Group is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead our Payroll operations in Singapore.

This pivotal role will also manage critical projects, and explore innovative solutions to optimize our payroll processes, including potential offshore outsourcing opportunities.

Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of 7 HR professionals.

The ideal candidate will be an astute problem solver with a hands-on approach, capable of balancing day-to-day operations with long-term process improvements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and optimize all payroll processes including payroll administration, tax filing & reporting, HRIS data management, statutory compliance, reporting, and analytics.
• Ensure full compliance with Singapore's Employment Act, Central Provident Fund regulations, Work Injury Compensation Act and other applicable labor laws.
• Manage the annual payroll budgeting, forecasting and auditing processes. Identify opportunities to streamline and enhance payroll efficiency.
• Lead and manage the payroll team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees in Singapore
• Develop and implement payroll policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance efficiency and compliance
• Spearhead payroll-related projects, including system upgrades, process improvements, and regulatory changes
• Continuously review processes for optimization opportunities via automation, outsourcing or system improvements. Roll out enhancements with minimum disruption.
• Investigate and evaluate opportunities for outsourcing payroll tasks to offshore vendors, conducting cost-benefit analyses and risk assessments
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT departments to ensure seamless integration of payroll systems and processes
• Ensure compliance with local tax laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Provide expert guidance on complex payroll issues and serve as the main point of contact for payroll-related queries
• Analyze payroll data to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts related to benefits administration & payroll services and technologies
• Continuously review and improve payroll operations through process optimization, automation and technology solutions.
• Manage relationships and service agreements with external payroll vendors.

Requirements:

• 8 years of progressive experience in HR operations, payroll, benefits administration, and data management. Deep expertise in Singapore's labour laws and regulations is a must.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field
• 8 years of HR generalist or operations experience, including deep payroll knowledge
• Comprehensive understanding of Singapore's Employment Act, CPF, WICA and associated regulations
• Proven expertise in HR systems, data analytics, payroll processing and reporting
• Proven track record in building and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities
• Strong communicator with ability to influence and partner across all levels
• Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully implementing payroll projects
• Experience in evaluating and implementing outsourcing solutions, preferably in a data administration & payroll context
• Professional certification in payroll management (e.g., CPP, MCPA) is highly desirable
• Proficiency in payroll software and HRIS systems
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines