Role Overview
This role leads Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, HR Reporting, and HR Systems within a manufacturing environment. It ensures competitive and compliant reward strategies while managing complex payroll operations (including shift-based, overtime-heavy structures) and delivering workforce analytics to support plant productivity and cost efficiency. The role also oversees a team responsible for payroll and HR reporting across manufacturing sites.
What You Will Do
Compensation & Benefits (Manufacturing Focus)
Design and manage compensation structures aligned to manufacturing job architecture (plant, technical, and production roles)
Lead market benchmarking for plant-based roles, ensuring competitiveness in local labor markets
Oversee annual compensation cycles, including merit increases, incentives, and production-linked bonuses
Develop and manage benefits programs, including insurance design, renewal negotiations, and cost optimization
Ensure compliance with Malaysian labor laws, collective agreements, and statutory requirements
Payroll & HR Operations
Oversee end-to-end payroll operations across manufacturing sites, including shift allowances, overtime, incentives and statutory deductions
Ensure payroll accuracy for complex workforce structures (e.g., hourly workers, contract workers, unionized employees)
Design and continuously improve payroll processes tailored to manufacturing operations
Ensure strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with regulatory requirements
HR Reporting & Workforce Analytics
Drive HR analytics focused on workforce cost, productivity, overtime trends, and headcount planning
Provide insights to plant leadership on labor cost optimization and efficiency improvements
Develop dashboards and reports to support operational and financial decision-making
Ensure data integrity across HR and payroll systems
HR Systems
Oversee HR systems supporting payroll, time & attendance, compensation, and reporting
Ensure integration between HRIS and manufacturing systems (e.g., time tracking, shift scheduling)
Lead HR system enhancements and digitalization initiatives to improve operational efficiency
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead and develop payroll and HR reporting teams supporting manufacturing operations
Partner closely with Plant Managers, Finance, and Operations leaders on workforce planning and cost control
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on compensation, labor cost, and workforce strategy
Manage projects related to payroll transformation, system implementation, and process optimization
Engage with unions and employee representatives where applicable
What You Will Need
Deep expertise in compensation design, job architecture, and salary structuring within manufacturing environments
Strong analytical and financial acumen, particularly in labor cost and productivity analysis
Proven experience managing compensation and benefits programs in Malaysia
Solid knowledge of Malaysian labor laws, payroll compliance, and union/collective agreement frameworks
Extensive experience in payroll systems, especially handling shift work, overtime, and large blue-collar populations
Strong Excel and data analytics capabilities
Experience in insurance design, renewal, and cost management
Experience working in unionized environments is highly preferred
Strategic thinker with strong business and operational acumen
Influential communicator, able to engage plant leadership and senior executives
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex operational environments
Ability to manage ambiguity, multiple sites, and competing priorities
Resilient and execution-focused in fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing settings
Excellent communication and presentation skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia
Job Specifications
Bachelor’s degree or higher in HR, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in Compensation / Total Rewards, preferably in manufacturing
At least 5 years in a leadership or regional HR role
Proven experience in multinational manufacturing organizations
Experience managing multi-site operations and large workforce populations
Talent acquisition based on Nexperia vacancies is not appreciated. Nexperia job adverts are Nexperia copyright © material and the word Nexperia® is a registered trademark.
D&I Statement
As an equal-opportunity employer, Nexperia values diversity not just because it is the right thing to do but because diverse teams perform better. We are dedicated to being inclusive, and a proof point of this dedication is that we were the main partner of the very first Dutch Paralympic Team NL House during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all, and we consider all applicants fairly, as well as providing a safe work environment and reasonable adjustments where requested.
In addition, we offer our colleagues the possibility to join employee resource groups such as the Pride Network Group or global and local Women's groups. Nexperia is committed to increasing women in management positions to 30% by 2030.