SME Payroll Hours & Rates

Payroll Subject Matter Expert (APAC)

Role Description

At Vanderlande, we are transforming our global payroll landscape to deliver standardized, compliant, and scalable payroll services across our worldwide operations. To support this journey, we are looking for an experienced Payroll Subject Matter Expert (SME) - APAC who combines deep payroll expertise with a passion for process improvement, standardization, and transformation.

Are you an expert in payroll processes, payroll legislation, and payroll systems? Do you enjoy solving complex payroll challenges, supporting implementations, and working with stakeholders across HR, Finance, IT, and external payroll providers? Are you motivated to help shape the future of payroll services in a global organization?

If so, we are looking for you.

As a Payroll SME, you will serve as a trusted advisor and expert within our global payroll community. You will play a key role in payroll transformation initiatives, support operational excellence, and help ensure payroll services are delivered accurately, efficiently, and compliantly. The role combines operational expertise with project and transformation responsibilities, supporting both day-to-day payroll operations and strategic initiatives.

High-Level Responsibilities:

Vision, Strategy, Leadership & Transformation

• Payroll Expertise & Advisory
• Act as the go-to expert on payroll processes, legislation, controls, and system functionality for assigned countries or regions.
• Provide expert guidance and support to HR, Finance, payroll operations teams, and external payroll providers.
• Resolve complex payroll issues, escalations, and compliance-related questions.
• Translate local payroll requirements into global standards and vice versa.

Data Quality & Governance

Validate payroll inputs and outputs to ensure accuracy and completeness. Monitor payroll data quality and system integrations. Support payroll reporting, reconciliations, and audit requirements. Help establish and maintain payroll process documentation and governance standards.

Compliance & Controls

Safeguard compliance with local payroll legislation and statutory requirements. Ensure effective execution of payroll controls, audits, reconciliations, and quality reviews. Support risk assessments and compliance monitoring activities. Maintain awareness of legislative changes and advise on required actions.

Process Excellence & Standardization

Drive standardization and optimization of payroll processes globally. Identify improvement opportunities and support automation initiatives. Contribute to the development and maintenance of payroll policies, procedures, and controls. Promote best practices and knowledge sharing across the payroll community.

Payroll Transformation & Implementations

Support payroll implementations, migrations, and system enhancements. Validate process designs and ensure alignment with global payroll standards. Participate in testing activities, issue resolution, cutover activities, and hypercare support. Partner with project teams to ensure successful delivery of payroll transformation initiatives.

Operational Delivery

• 2nd line query handling and resolution for own process area coming from central FSSC (Finance Shared Service Centre)
• Liaison between regional service delivery and CO (Capability Owner)
• Support in process improvement/roll out initiated by CO (UAT, implementation training)
• Provides training to operational teams
• Acts and steers on KPI improvements together with operational team, stakeholders and CO
• Takes part in process community meetings and aligns and cooperates closely with peers
• Is back up for SME’s in other regions, so maintains Global process view
• Maintains regional deviations and brings these forward to CO for approval or resolution
• Interacts with regional stakeholders on behalf of FSSC for operational improvements/adherence to standard process
• Seeks root causes for deviations from adherence/process
• Elaborate process changes and prepare for roll out
• This function will be regionally executed with a global scope and E2E perspective

Continuous Improvement

• Participates in continuous improvement projects
• Lead in implementing (smaller) initiatives
• Supports in Global Projects (EMEA/ NA & APAC)

Key Interactions:

Business                             Delegated Process owners other processes, operational staff other adjacent capabilities (IT, HR)

Business/Other                External providers

Finance                               Strategic Planning, Business Planning & forecasting, Payroll, Internal Control, Treasury, Accounts payable, Lead to Cash, TAX management, Standard Reporting and Data, Delegated Process owners, FSSC Services delivery, Local Finance Managers, SME’s, CI

Key Competencies

• Global Perspective
• Drives results
• Communicates effectively
• Collaborates
• Org savvy
• Cultivates innovation

Knowledge/skills

• System and tool advanced level (JDE, Workday, TEB, etc.: all relevant for the area of expertise – org book)
• English
• Excel
• Visio
• Planning skills
• Expertise area: e.g. payroll – tax, international payrolling, accounting, policies, etc.

Experience

• SME in Payroll area with deep knowledge on Payroll processes. Experience in payroll of APAC countries, EMEA & NA will be a plus.
• Should understand Journal entries for Payroll & should have working knowledge of compliances
• A recognized Payroll Qualification/ certification would be advantageous
• Should have experience of Expat Payroll

Level of Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or specific expertise area or equivalent level
• Minimum 10+ years of payroll experience in complex organizations payroll (2000+ employees)

Other Requirements

• Fluent English (additional languages would be advantageous)

Key Customers

• Employees, HR, Internal Business customers, Authorities, other Finance functions
• International Mobility