Senior HR Time and Attendance Specialist

Scope of Role:

• Regional coverage: APAC with expert knowledge across multi-jurisdictional requirements
• Impact: Expert-level service delivery across all case complexities leveraging advanced knowledge and experience

 

Key Responsibilities:

Time Management System (TMS) 

• Support time, attendance, leave, and scheduling processes across multiple countries
• Execute TMS-related transactions, including time corrections, leave adjustments, schedule updates, and pay-impacting changes
• Ensure First Time Right processing for all TMS transactions, minimizing payroll errors and employee pay issues
• Ensure timely processing of time data to support payroll cut-offs, statutory compliance, and internal controls
• Partner closely with Payroll, HRIS, and vendors to resolve TMS issues, conduct root-cause analysis, and prevent recurrence
• Ensure TMS processes align with local working time, overtime, rest day, and statutory leave regulations
• Develop and maintain TMS process documentation, work instructions, and knowledge articles

 

Service delivery & customer excellence

• Handle HR cases from routine inquiries to complex cases requiring specialized knowledge of employment law, policies, and cross-border regulations
• Handle escalated cases and VIP requests requiring heightened attention, discretion, and rapid resolution while maintaining exceptional service standard
• Apply expert judgment to all case types, ensuring efficient resolution of simple queries while providing sophisticated analysis for complex matters
• Deliver exceptional customer service leveraging extensive experience to provide comprehensive, accurate responses across all interaction types
• Share expertise and knowledge with team members through informal guidance while maintaining focus on individual case delivery

 

Transaction management & data integrity

• Execute full range of HR transactions from routine updates to more complex cases including reorganizations, international transfers, and sensitive separations
• Apply advanced validation techniques to all transaction types, leveraging experience to identify potential issues and ensure accuracy across simple and complex scenarios
• Manage sophisticated system processes utilizing expert knowledge to navigate complex configurations while efficiently handling routine transactions
• Maintain First Time Right excellence across all transaction complexities, using expertise to prevent errors and streamline processing

 

Process excellence & continuous improvement

• Champion process excellence by applying extensive knowledge to identify improvement opportunities across all process types
• Leverage experience to streamline both routine and complex processes, sharing insights that benefit overall team effectiveness
• Support process enhancements by providing expert input on procedure updates and system improvements based on comprehensive case experience
• Drive knowledge sharing through expert handling of diverse case types and informal mentoring of colleagues

 

Compliance & risk management

• Ensure full compliance with data privacy regulations (local privacy laws) and employment legislation across supported regions
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and support compliance reviews with accurate, complete records
• Protect sensitive employee data through adherence to security protocols and confidentiality requirements
• Identify and mitigate risks related to data handling, process compliance, and regulatory requirements

 

Stakeholder collaboration

• Build trusted relationships across all stakeholder levels, applying experience to navigate both simple and complex stakeholder needs effectively
• Collaborate effectively with Payroll, Benefits, and specialist HR teams to ensure seamless end-to-end service delivery
• Support cross-functional initiatives that enhance employee experience and operational efficiency
• Represent the HRSS brand positively in all interactions, demonstrating expert-level service regardless of case complexity
• Participate in data cleansing activities to ensure all employee records meet global and local compliance requirements prior to and after migration

 

Organizational relationships:

• Reports to: Team Lead, HR Shared Services
• Direct Reports: None
• Matrix Relationships: Centers of Excellence (COEs), Payroll, Legal, Finance, HRIS, Benefits teams
• Primary Location: Penang (Hybrid working arrangement)

 

Job requirements:

Essential experience:

• 5-6+ years in HR TMS operations, shared services, or related fields with demonstrated progression in case complexity
• Strong understanding of time and attendance processes, including shift work, overtime, leave management, and payroll integration
• Hands-on experience administering or supporting TMS in a regional or global environment
• Expertise in HR case management, from routine queries to complex employee relations across Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, India and Thailand
• Advanced HRIS experience with expert-level system navigation, transaction processing, and troubleshooting capabilities
• Proven track record of efficiently handling high-volume caseloads while maintaining quality across all complexity levels
• Labour law and regulatory framework knowledge across multiple jurisdictions with practical application across diverse case types
• Experience managing escalated cases and VIP stakeholder requests with demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and deliver exceptional service under pressure

Core Competencies:

• Expert efficiency: Ability to quickly assess and appropriately handle cases across all complexity levels using extensive experience
• Advanced judgment: Sound decision-making across routine and complex matters requiring discretion, business acumen, and regulatory knowledge
• Comprehensive expertise: Deep knowledge of HR operations enabling efficient resolution of any case type encountered
• Sophisticated problem-solving: Ability to apply experience and knowledge to resolve challenges quickly and effectively regardless of complexity
• Adaptability & expertise: Seamlessly transitions between routine and complex cases, applying appropriate level of analysis and attention
• Cultural intelligence: Deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics enabling effective case resolution across diverse APAC markets

Communication & language:

• Fluent English (essential for documentation and stakeholder communication)
• Additional languages strongly preferred for enhanced regional support (Vietnamese / Japanese / Korean / Filipino / Hindi / Thai / Mandarin)

Technical proficiency:

• Advanced HRIS knowledge with ability to navigate complex system configurations
• Case management expertise using enterprise ticketing and workflow systems
• Data analysis capabilities for trend identification and process improvement insights

 

What We Offer:

• Career development within a global HR organization
• Exposure to international markets and diverse HR practices across APAC
• Skill development opportunities in specialized HR areas and emerging technologies
• Hybrid flexibility combining collaborative office time with remote work efficiency
• Global team collaboration with colleagues across multiple time zones and cultures
• Modern technology stack and tools that enable efficient, high-quality service delivery

 

 

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to leverage extensive HR operations expertise while handling diverse cases and making a meaningful impact on employee experience across multiple markets. 

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.