Payroll Manager

Summary of Job Function

The Payroll & Benefits Manager is a senior-level role within the People Operations and Culture department, responsible for overseeing and executing all payroll and benefits administration for a manufacturing organization. This position ensures accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing while managing comprehensive employee benefits programs.

The ideal candidate brings 10 years of experience supporting manufacturing workforces, deep technical payroll expertise, and the ability to partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Management

• Lead end-to-end payroll operations for hourly and salaried employees, including complex manufacturing pay structures such as overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and off-cycle payrolls
• Manage employee payroll updates, including pay rates, deductions, 401(k) contributions, and status changes
• Create payroll batches; reconcile payroll; validate reports (earnings types, taxes, deductions, 401(k) match); and manage payroll approval processes
• Serve as the payroll system subject matter expert, including system implementations, data transfers, module setup, administrative access, payroll codes, and tax configurations
• Validate data in HRIS and payroll systems; identify discrepancies; reconcile variances; and maintain data integrity
• Partner with department managers, supervisors, and employees to ensure timecards are accurate, approved, and payroll-ready
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and internal payroll policies
• Manage multi-state payroll tax accounts, including new state registrations, system setup, account tracking, and issue resolution
• Ensure proper deduction, funding, and reconciliation of employee and employer 401(k) contributions
• Track PTO balances and notify supervisors of usage or discrepancies
• Review, audit, and validate W-2s and year-end payroll reporting
• Oversee employee change management, including salary changes, promotions, status changes, title updates, and benefit elections
• Support internal and external payroll audits and year-end processes

Benefits Administration

• Oversee and administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, COBRA, and retirement plans
• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to manage enrollments, qualifying events, renewals, open enrollment, and escalated benefit issues
• Coordinate benefits orientations, enrollment support, employee communications, and ongoing education
• Reconcile benefits invoices and partner with Accounts Payable to ensure accurate and timely payments
• Audit benefit enrollments and payroll deductions each pay period and quarterly to ensure accuracy
• Maintain and update HRIS records for benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations
• Lead 401(k) plan administration, including employee enrollments, communications, issue resolution, and compliance support
• Assist with ERISA, tax compliance audits, Workers’ Compensation audits, 401(k) audits, Form 5500 preparation, and other regulatory reporting
• Generate reports and analyses as requested by leadership, vendors, or brokers
• Develop and implement benefit communications, training workshops, and resources
• Maintain benefits information on the ADP home page or internal systems

QualificationsRequired Qualifications

• 10 years of payroll and benefits experience, with significant experience in manufacturing environments
• Proven expertise managing payroll for large hourly workforces with complex schedules and overtime requirements
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll regulations, wage and hour compliance, and benefits administration
• Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll systems (ADP strongly preferred)
• Experience managing 401(k) plans, audits, and regulatory reporting
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
• Strong cross-functional communication and leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar certification
• Experience supporting union and/or non-union manufacturing workforces
• Experience leading system implementations or process improvement initiatives

Pay: $65.00 - $80.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65 - $80