Payroll & Benefits Manager

Overview

This role owns end-to-end payroll and benefits operations for a workforce that includes shift-based manufacturing and operations employees, as well as salaried employees. Responsibilities include multi-state payroll compliance, administering benefits (including annual open enrollment), and coordinating Canadian employee payroll through an Employer of Record (EOR) partner.

The position also serves as the internal subject-matter resource for payroll administration and compliance, partnering with People Operations, Accounting, and external advisors on payroll, wage and hour, benefits, and employment compliance.

While location flexibility is available, preference will be given to candidates located near one of the following offices:

• Sedro-Woolley, WA
• Bellingham, WA
• Chicago, IL

Remote employees should expect to travel to an office location approximately once per quarter.

Responsibilities

• Own accurate and timely multi-state payroll processing for hourly, shift-based, and salaried employees, including regular pay, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and other earnings.
• Review and audit timecards each pay cycle, identifying and resolving missed punches, PTO and sick time, approvals, job coding, department allocations, and other discrepancies in partnership with employees and managers.
• Manage payroll corrections and adjustments, including retroactive pay, final paychecks, and off-cycle or manual payrolls, ensuring changes are accurately documented and resolved.
• Establish and maintain payroll and benefits controls, audit processes, approval workflows, procedures, and documentation to support accurate and consistent administration.
• Monitor payroll and benefits requirements as the organization expands into new states and jurisdictions, coordinating registrations, tax withholding, unemployment, paid leave, and other applicable requirements.
• Coordinate payroll and benefits administration for Canadian employees through the Employer of Record (EOR) partner, including pay, benefits, statutory deductions, and employee changes.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k), and lead operational execution of annual open enrollment and other benefit enrollment activities.
• Partner with People Operations on benefit renewals, compliance requirements, employee communications and engagement, and opportunities to improve benefit programs and the employee experience.
• Manage relationships with payroll, benefits, retirement, leave, EOR, and other third-party partners, serving as the primary operational contact and escalation point.
• Support administration of employee leaves, coordinating payroll, benefit deductions, premium payments, and coverage impacts.
• Administer wage garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other court-ordered deductions accurately and confidentially.
• Manage payroll tax notices and agency correspondence, researching issues, providing supporting documentation, and tracking open matters through resolution.
• Support employees and managers with payroll and benefit questions, researching and resolving deduction discrepancies, underpayments, overpayments, repayment arrangements, and other escalated issues.
• Reconcile payroll and benefits accounts, support payroll tax filings, and lead payroll year-end activities, including W-2s, 1095-Cs, and other required reporting.
• Develop and maintain payroll and benefits reporting for HR, Finance, and leadership, including payroll trends, benefit costs and participation, labor allocations, reconciliations, and other workforce-related analysis.
• Own payroll-related HRIS configurations, coding structures, records, and system workflows; identify opportunities to automate processes, strengthen controls, improve employee experience, and maximize system capabilities.
• Handle payroll, benefits, and compensation information with a high level of discretion and confidentiality.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience, including multi-state, biweekly payroll for a hybrid hourly/salaried workforce.
• Manufacturing or industrial operations experience strongly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.
• Proficiency with Rippling or a similar payroll/HRIS platform.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with multi-state payroll tax compliance tools.
• Working knowledge of Washington State L&I requirements, garnishment/wage withholding administration, EOR/international payroll models, and multi-state wage and hour compliance.
• High discretion with confidential data.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail and accuracy under deadline pressure.
• Ability to communicate payroll and benefits information clearly and tactfully to employees, shift supervisors, and leadership.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines (timecard cycles, tax notices, garnishment orders) in a fast-paced, multi-shift environment.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new payroll/HRIS systems and process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation range: $105,000 - $135,000 annually
• Discretionary bonus may be available based on outstanding contributions to team and company success

Benefits include:

• Multiple medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays (plus 2 floating holidays to use your way)
• Disability, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• FSA and HSA options with employer contributions
• Tuition reimbursement

Location

• Sedro-Woolley, WA; Bellingham, WA; or Chicago, IL (preference given to candidates located near an existing office)
• Remote candidates: travel to an office location approximately once per quarter

Eligibility / Additional Information

• Must be a US Citizen or legal permanent resident for this position; unable to sponsor employment visas.
• Drug and alcohol-free work environment; pre-employment drug testing and a background check after receiving a conditional offer of employment.
• Non-safety sensitive role.

Equal Opportunity

Equal Opportunity Employer. Commitment to non-discrimination across legally protected characteristics.