Payroll Manager

About the Role

As Payroll Manager, you'll lead a high-performing Payroll Team, ensuring every pay run is delivered accurately, efficiently, and on time. You'll play a pivotal role in safeguarding payroll operations, driving compliance with legislative requirements, and implementing robust controls to minimise risk. Beyond the numbers, you'll empower and develop your team through ongoing training, coaching, and support, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and manage the end‑to‑end payroll schedule, ensuring the team is appropriately resourced to meet all processing deadlines and any project requirements.
• Design, implement, and enforce robust quality controls and audit processes to ensure payroll accuracy, including conducting regular reviews, identifying discrepancies, and implementing corrective actions as required.
• Identify training and development needs within the payroll team and provide ongoing learning opportunities to build capability, confidence, and compliance knowledge.
• Ensure all weekly payrolls are processed accurately, on time, and in line with approved procedures and legislative requirements.
• Manage all period‑end, month‑end, and annual payroll processes, including finance journals, superannuation remittances, payroll tax, and other statutory obligations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide expert payroll support and collaborate with internal stakeholders, including People Advisory, Information Technology, Finance, Planning, and Major Projects, across both business‑as‑usual activities and project work.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of payroll legislation by attending relevant education sessions and industry updates, ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation and internal policies. Communicate updates effectively and ensure the payroll team is trained and confident in applying changes.
• Develop, implement, and regularly test a comprehensive payroll business continuity plan to ensure uninterrupted payroll operations.
• Configure, review, and test payroll systems, processes, and procedures to ensure alignment with current legislation, awards, and organisational policies.

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Business, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• Proven payroll leadership experience within a large, complex organisation, including high-volume payroll environments supporting 10,000+ employees.
• Extensive experience managing weekly payroll cycles and ensuring compliance with payroll tax, superannuation, and other statutory obligations.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, and relevant state and industry regulations.
• Experience working with payroll, workforce management, time and attendance, and HRIS systems.
• Sound accounting knowledge and an understanding of the relationship between payroll and broader finance functions.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, with the ability to analyse data, identify trends, and support informed decision-making.
• Experience using payroll reporting tools to deliver meaningful insights and support compliance requirements.
• Project experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, or transformation initiatives (highly regarded).
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the business.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills, with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong commercial acumen and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish credibility, trust, and rapport with stakeholders.
• A high level of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion when handling sensitive employee and business information

Why Join Collins Foods?

At CFL, our values shape everything we do from how we support our teams, to how we pursue excellence, to how we boldly drive the future of our business. As our Payroll Finance Manager, you’ll step into a role where you can:

• Competitive salary + short term incentive 
• Up to 13 “Recharge Days” annually (a 4-day week every 4 weeks) 
• Work from home option available 1 day per week 
• Be part of a growing ASX-listed organisation with real momentum 
• Work in a supportive, down-to-earth, high-performing team 
• Make a meaningful impact across a large, diverse workforce 
• Competitive benefits and a strong focus on wellbeing  

Ready to Apply?

If you’re a forward‑thinking Payroll Manager who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment, we’d love to hear from you.

For a copy of the full position description, please reach out to recruitment@collinsfoods.com

Please note, the successful applicant will be required to undertake pre-employment screening tests which may include a National Police Check and qualifications checks.

CFL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as such, all applicants will receive equal consideration for employment for which they qualify, including the option of flexible working arrangements where applicable.