50 employees, one platform: How Macro Mike took control of HR and payroll

Scaling operations with confidence

When health-focused food manufacturer Macro Mike began experiencing rapid growth, managing its workforce efficiently became a key priority. From warehouse staff to office-based teams and casual production workers, keeping up with HR and payroll processes was no small feat.

Karli Newell, People and Culture Advisor, stepped into the business to help streamline these systems and Employment Hero was already part of the mix. 

“We’ve got around 50 team members now across all departments. We’ve grown organically and pretty quickly, so it’s been good to have something centralised like Employment Hero in place.”

Karli brings a strong background in payroll and is now expanding her expertise across the HR module within Employment Hero. Having used clunkier platforms in the past, she’s found Employment Hero refreshingly comprehensive. 

“It’s a one-stop shop for HR. We use it every day for onboarding, offboarding, timesheets and payroll,” Karli explained.

Keeping documentation in one place

One of the biggest wins for Karli and the team has been the ability to centralise employee documents, contracts and policies.

“All employee documents are stored in one place, which saves me a lot of time. When we onboard a new employee, I can just send out their contract, set them up in the system and they’re good to go. We don’t have to worry about printing anything or chasing up signatures – it’s all digital and easy to track.”

With multiple employee types such as permanent, casual and temp agency staff, having clear and compliant documentation has been essential. Karli added, 

“It gives me peace of mind that we’re doing everything by the book.”

Supporting a diverse and seasonal workforce

Macro Mike’s production ramps up significantly during peak sales periods, requiring extra staff at short notice. Employment Hero’s tools help them stay agile without compromising on accuracy or compliance.

“We’ve got warehouse staff, casuals, office-based roles. It’s quite a mix, so having a system that works for all types of employees is a huge help. Having Employment Hero set up properly means that I can get someone onboarded really quickly. ”

The team uses the Employment Hero Work App app daily, especially for leave and timesheet approvals. Overall, the system helps staff stay self-sufficient. 

“Everyone knows how to use it now, especially for applying for leave or submitting their timesheets.”

Reliable reporting that works for payroll and people

When it comes to payroll, Karli finds Employment Hero’s reporting tools especially powerful. 

“I find the reporting really robust. I can download what I need and it’s easy to customise,” said Karli. 

Whether it’s pulling reports for payroll reconciliations or generating simple lists for birthdays and anniversaries, the platform delivers. Having previously worked with standalone payroll systems, Karli appreciates that Employment Hero ties everything together. 

“I can see how the HR and payroll sides connect. It just makes things easier when everything is integrated.”

Quick answers and human support

One surprising highlight for Karli has been Employment Hero’s AI-driven help system, which she frequently uses when she’s troubleshooting or exploring new features. 

“I love the AI Chatbot, it’s so helpful. And when it can’t help, I get redirected to someone straight away. It’s just a really smooth support experience on the HR side.”

That responsiveness is critical in a business like Macro Mike, where agility and accuracy go hand in hand. With a lean People and Culture team, Karli needs tools that help her solve problems independently and keep things moving.

Looking ahead

Karli sees even more opportunities for other managers across Macro Mike to start using Employment Hero more proactively, for example, to run performance reviews or access HR insights. 

“I’d love to see more of our managers jumping into the system and using it to support their teams,” she said.

For now, she’s focused on keeping things running smoothly and Employment Hero remains her go-to platform for simplifying the everyday. 

Ready to simplify HR and payroll like Macro Mike? Book a demo to see how Employment Hero can support your team’s growth and make work more valuable.