Payroll Specialist

Overview

This Payroll Specialist role supports accurate, timely, and compliant payroll administration for a multi-state workforce. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, the position serves as payroll subject matter expert and primary resource for payroll processing, payroll tax administration, timekeeping support, payroll audits, and employee payroll inquiries.

Responsibilities emphasize payroll execution, data accuracy, compliance, customer service, and continuous process improvement while supporting payroll-related initiatives and HRIS projects.

Responsibilities

Payroll Administration & Processing

• Process weekly and semi-monthly payrolls accurately, timely, confidentially, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements for a multi-state workforce.
• Enter, validate, and maintain payroll data, including pay rates, earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefit elections, direct deposits, employee status changes, and payroll adjustments.
• Review payroll registers, exception reports, audit reports, time records, and supporting documentation to identify and resolve discrepancies before processing.
• Process manual checks and off-cycle payrolls as required, and maintain complete payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Research, resolve, and document payroll issues and inquiries, providing timely guidance and professional support to employee/owners, managers, Human Resources, and Finance.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end payroll reconciliations, reporting, audits, and processing activities.

Payroll Tax & Compliance

• Administer payroll tax reporting, filings, reconciliations, notices, and year-end activities, including W-2 processing, to ensure timely and accurate compliance.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, tax, wage and hour, garnishment, levy, and required deduction regulations.
• Monitor regulatory changes and payroll notices; research requirements; and coordinate resolution with payroll vendors and government agencies as needed.
• Prepare and maintain payroll compliance documentation for internal and external audits.

Timekeeping & HRIS Support

• Maintain payroll and timekeeping system data; audit employee time records; and partner with field Human Resources and supervisors to resolve exceptions and protect data integrity.
• Support payroll and HRIS configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, upgrades, implementations, integrations, and data validation.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll reports and reconciliations for Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, and management.
• Document payroll procedures and support communications, education, and training related to payroll and timekeeping processes.
• Provide guidance on payroll practices, system functionality, tax requirements, and compliance matters.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, and payroll vendors on process improvements, modernization initiatives, annual activities, and other assigned projects.

Requirements

• 4+ years of multi-state payroll administration experience.
• Associate degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field required; Bachelor's degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience processing high-volume payrolls.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems such as Dayforce, Paylocity, UKG, Workday, or similar platforms.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax reporting and wage and hour compliance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and auditing skills.
• Experience reconciling payroll-related financial data.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Team-oriented professional who partners effectively with employees, managers, and colleagues to achieve shared goals.
• Proactively seeks solutions, takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, and follows through on commitments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience supporting HRIS implementations.
• Experience with manufacturing, food production, or multi-location environments.
• Dayforce implementation or administration experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Employee-owned
• Insurance coverage that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance and flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays and competitive vacation/sick pay plans
• Tuition assistance program
• Employee stock ownership program (ESOP)

Equal Employment Opportunity

An equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer that participates in the E-Verify program as required by law. All qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.