Overview
This role involves overseeing end-to-end payroll operations for a manufacturing workforce, ensuring accurate and timely pay for hourly, union, and salaried employees. The Senior Payroll Specialist must have deep expertise in payroll compliance, complex shift structures, and managing high-volume environments typical of production facilities. The position also serves as the subject-matter expert for payroll systems, audits, and process improvements.
Responsibilities
- Lead full-cycle payroll processing for multi-shift manufacturing operations, including hourly, union, temporary, and salaried employees.
- Validate timekeeping data from plant systems, ensuring accuracy across overtime, shift differentials, weekend premiums, and meal-break compliance.
- Review and approve payroll batches before final submission.
- Manage complex payroll scenarios such as retroactive pay, incentive payouts, production bonuses, and attendance-based pay programs.
- Oversee garnishments, benefits deductions, tax withholdings, and union dues.
- Maintain payroll compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws, including FLSA and union contract requirements.
- Partner with HR and plant leadership to resolve discrepancies and support workforce changes.
- Prepare payroll reports for Finance, HR, and plant management; support month-end and year-end close.
- Lead internal and external payroll audits; ensure documentation meets SOX and corporate standards.
- Train and mentor payroll staff; act as the escalation point for complex payroll issues.
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
- Stay current on payroll regulations, union agreements, and system updates.
Requirements
- Expert knowledge of payroll principles, wage and hour laws, and multi-state payroll regulations.
- Strong experience with manufacturing timekeeping systems and shift-based pay structures.
- Advanced proficiency with payroll platforms such as Paylocity, ADP, Workday, UKG/Kronos.
- Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
- Ability to interpret union contracts and apply pay rules accurately.
- Excellent communication skills for working with plant managers, HR, and employees.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with strict deadlines.
- Advanced Excel skills.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, HR, or related field preferred.
- 5–7+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a senior role.
- Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments strongly preferred.
- CPP or FPC certification is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Details regarding compensation and benefits are not specified.
Location
Remote position based in the United States.