Job Description
Job Description
Job Schedule
M-F 8am-5pm
Length of Assignment: Temp to hire
Must be comfortable commuting to 2 local sites.
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 payroll system subject matter expert, including system implementations, data transfers, module setup, admin 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 accurate timecard entry, approvals, and payroll readiness
- 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
Other Duties
- Assist with the transition of employee personnel and benefits files to electronic systems
- Support year-end payroll and benefits processes
- Ensure strict confidentiality of employee records and sensitive information
- Perform additional duties, reports, and special projects as assigned
Required 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
- Advanced 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 or non-union manufacturing workforces
- Experience with system implementations or process improvement initiatives