Payroll Lead

Overview

The organization is seeking a Payroll Lead to oversee and execute payroll activities for approximately 2,000 employees across multiple locations. This role ensures compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations and serves as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, system functionality, and audit controls. The Payroll Lead provides guidance to the Senior Payroll Specialist and acts as a backup to the Payroll Manager when needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as backup to the Payroll Manager, including closing payroll after approvals and completing audits (Time Off, 401k, GL, etc.)
• Process Canadian payroll and submit Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP) contributions
• Approve and print manual checks; fund pay card requests
• Cancel checks with banks and manage returned direct deposits
• Send daily positive pay files to banks
• Process 401(k) deferrals, loan files, and employer match files
• Manage benefit arrears and send non-qualified contributions to Principal Financial
• Send Long-Term Incentive (LTI) and Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) contributions to Principal Financial as applicable
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, submission, reporting, and auditing for exempt and non-exempt employees
• Maintain high standards of quality and accuracy, proactively managing payroll cycles to meet deadlines
• Provide excellent customer service by responding to payroll inquiries and collaborating with People and cross-functional departments
• Process employment separations, status changes, tax changes, deductions, and direct deposit changes
• Review and upload garnishments to wage garnishment services; audit garnishment changes
• Verify employee data entered via UKG Pro workflows or self-service
• Audit payroll data including regular pay, overtime, bonuses, premiums, and differentials
• Audit new hires and rehires for pay rates, earnings, taxes, deductions, and PTO plans
• Collaborate with People Teams, supervisors, and managers to identify and resolve payroll issues
• Act as first line of communication for high priority and escalated payroll matters
• Support Payroll Manager with initiatives and projects (e.g., direct deposit campaigns, electronic paychecks, earned wage access)
• Function as a business partner and SME for assigned locations to optimize employee experience
• Train managers and supervisors on Time & Attendance processes and payroll accuracy
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding deductions, accruals, garnishments, child support, and W-2s
• Prepare manual checks and paycard payments as needed
• Enter and audit meal waiver premiums
• Prepare and submit New Hire Reporting to California Employment Development Department (EDD) for all states
• Complete Social Security verification for employees
• Maintain payroll records including vacation, sick, and accrued leave
• Collaborate with payroll team and People Technology Coordinator to resolve payroll issues
• Audit and calculate merit increases, promotions, bonus premiums, and prepare import files
• Process retroactive calculations and adjustments for promotions
• Review and audit daily hours, meal premiums, and missed punches before exporting hours to payroll system
• Process imports into payroll gateway and balance employee hours and payments
• Audit pre-check reports for accuracy
• Identify process improvements and lead quality and optimization initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No direct supervisory responsibilities
• Provide leadership and direction to the Senior Payroll Specialist

Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree in accounting or related field preferred

Experience

• 5-7 years of end-to-end payroll processing experience including Time and Attendance systems (preferably UKG Pro Time Management) and Payroll systems (preferably UKG Pro)
• Solid understanding of federal, state, and local tax laws, FLSA, and Wage and Hour requirements
• Familiarity with California payroll regulations including meal and break rests, overtime, double-time, and termination
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and tax compliance (preferably multi-state)
• Minimum two years’ experience with a large Human Resource Management System or payroll system
• Minimum one year accounting experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Spanish/English bilingual strongly preferred

Skills

• Understanding of accounting principles and ability to reconcile payroll
• Knowledge of payroll administration of 401(k) and other employee benefit plans, garnishments, and workers’ compensation
• Experience in a high volume, fast-paced payroll environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent work ethic, organization, and time management skills
• Ability to multi-task and manage conflicting priorities with strict deadlines
• Sense of urgency in responding to inquiries
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality

Language Skills

• Ability to read and comprehend instructions and correspondence

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate figures such as overtime, double-time, shift differentials, gross and net wages, tax withholdings, and imputed income

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but routine written or oral instructions
• Ability to solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities

Work Environment

• Typical office environment
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities

Travel

• Less than 10% travel to manufacturing facilities and/or headquarters

Remote or Hybrid Work Option

• Hybrid and remote options available
• Position requires working until at least 2:30pm Pacific Time for coverage

Compensation & Benefits

• Bay Area, California compensation range: $37.50 to $54.50 per hour
• Other locations subject to a lower range
• Comprehensive health plans including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Mental health support
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Financial wellness support
• Referral rewards and scholarship programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off including 9 paid US holidays annually
• Product discount reimbursement
• Remote gym discounts

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with federal employment laws protecting veterans and individuals with disabilities.