Job Description
Own the Payroll
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Improve the Process
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Shape what comes next
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At Real Pet Food Company, we're looking for a Senior Payroll Officer who knows payroll inside and out — but who also looks beyond the pay run.
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This is a key role within our People & Capability team, reporting to the Head of Remuneration & Benefits, with responsibility for the end-to-end delivery, governance and compliance of payroll across Australia and New Zealand.
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With a predominantly blue-collar workforce and a range of Awards and Enterprise Agreements, this is a role where your technical expertise will genuinely make an impact. And we're not standing still.
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We're investing in our payroll technology and processes, with a systems transformation underway that will see a transition from a Managed Service model to an in-house solution. We're looking for someone who is excited by that change — someone who can challenge the status quo, identify opportunities for automation and process improvement, and help build a smarter, more efficient payroll function.
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What you'll own
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As our payroll SME, you'll take ownership of:
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End-to-end weekly, monthly and out-of-cycle payrolls across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time and in accordance with legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements and company policies.
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Payroll governance and compliance, including STP, superannuation, payroll tax, workers compensation, leave and other statutory obligations.
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Awards and Enterprise Agreements, ensuring pay rules, penalties, allowances, overtime and other employment conditions are correctly interpreted and reflected in our time and attendance and payroll systems.
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Time & Attendance and payroll configuration, partnering with operational leaders to improve time and leave practices and ensure accurate pay calculations.
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Payroll reconciliations, reporting and audits, working closely with Finance and P&C; to maintain strong controls, data integrity and audit readiness.
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Complex payroll investigations, acting as the escalation point for employees, leaders and the P&C; team when things get complicated.
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Payroll systems and vendors, including UKG, troubleshooting issues, testing changes and identifying opportunities to get more from our technology.
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Continuous improvement, looking for ways to eliminate manual processes, improve controls,



automate workflows and make the payroll experience better for our people.
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You'll also provide functional guidance to our Payroll Officer and help build capability across the business, particularly with leaders using UKG Ready, Time & Attendance, leave and payroll processes.
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What will make you successful?
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You'll be an experienced payroll professional who is comfortable operating in a complex, fast-paced, multi payroll environment.
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You'll bring:
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5+ years' experience in a senior payroll position, with strong end-to-end payroll experience.
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Proven experience working with Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements and complex pay conditions including overtime, penalties, allowances and shift arrangements.
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Experience managing payroll across multiple sites and/or a large operational workforce.
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Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation and statutory requirements, including STP, superannuation, payroll tax and workers compensation.
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Experience with New Zealand payroll and NZ statutory requirements will be highly regarded.
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Strong experience with Time & Attendance and payroll systems. UKG Ready and/or Payroll Metrics experience is advantageous.
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Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyse payroll data and investigate discrepancies.
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A strong understanding of payroll governance, controls, reconciliations and audit requirements.
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The confidence to provide trusted payroll advice to employees, People Leaders, Finance, P&C; and senior stakeholders.
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Exceptional attention to detail, discretion and integrity — you'll be dealing with highly confidential information every day.
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But we're particularly interested in how you think.
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You're someone who:
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Questions the process. You don't accept "because that's how we've always done it" as an answer.
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Looks for better ways. You enjoy finding opportunities to simplify, automate and improve.
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Embraces technology. You're curious about what systems, AI,



automation and data can do to make payroll more accurate and efficient.
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Owns the outcome. You take accountability for getting to the right answer, particularly when something goes wrong.
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Can influence. You can translate complex payroll and industrial requirements into practical advice that leaders and employees understand.
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Stays calm under pressure. Payroll deadlines don't move — and you know how to manage competing priorities without compromising accuracy.
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Why Real Pet Food Company?
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This is an opportunity to join a business that is growing, changing and challenging the way things are done.
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You'll have genuine ownership of payroll while working alongside the Head of Remuneration & Benefits and broader P&C; and Finance teams to strengthen our payroll function.
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With our payroll systems transformation and Payroll Metrics implementation imminent, you'll be joining at exactly the right time to influence how payroll works in the future.
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Our values are at the heart of how we work:
n Work as a Pack – collaborate and support each other.
n Make Your Mark – take ownership and make an impact.
n Lead with Passion – bring energy and expertise to what you do.
n Change the Game – challenge the norm and find better ways.
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If you're a payroll specialist who understands blue-collar payroll, Awards and EAs, but also gets excited about process improvement, technology and automation, we'd love to hear from you.
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ALSO: Generous advantages!
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Anniversary day off
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Product discounts
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Volunteering days
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Novated leases
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Rewards program
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Parental leave
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What's Next?
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This role is a full-time role with an expectation of being on site at our Crows Nest office 4 days a week with 1-day WFH (Thursday or Friday) - but you are welcome to work 5 days on site!
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The selection process will include
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Two in-person interviews
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Psych Assessment
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Two reference checks.
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We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity isn't a buzzword here — it's part of our DNA. If you require any reasonable adjustments or accessibility support during the recruitment process, please contact people&
******.
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Please note: No recruitment agencies will be considered. We kindly ask that unsolicited profiles are not submitted.

📌 Senior Payroll Officer (Queensland)
🏢 Real Pet Food
📍 Queensland