Payroll Manager

Position Overview

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations for a complex, multi-state workforce. This role oversees end-to-end payroll processing, including payroll data from multiple systems, piece-rate compensation, minimum wage requirements, overtime, reconciliations, and payroll auditing.

The ideal candidate brings strong hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to analyze complex payroll data, identify discrepancies, and ensure accuracy before payroll is finalized. This position also leads and develops the payroll team while strengthening processes, controls, and accountability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-state workforce, ensuring accurate and timely payroll.
• Prepare, reconcile, validate, and import payroll data from multiple systems and sources.
• Manage complex compensation calculations, including piece-rate pay, minimum wage guarantees, overtime, and other earnings.
• Perform pre- and post-payroll audits and resolve discrepancies before they impact employees.
• Research payroll issues, identify root causes, and implement appropriate corrections.
• Maintain payroll controls, reconciliations, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Serve as a payroll subject-matter expert for ADP Workforce Now, including payroll processing, imports, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and support payroll audits and information requests.
• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Build cross-training and process documentation to support continuity and reduce reliance on individual employees.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Operations, and field leadership to resolve payroll issues and improve processes.
• Respond to employee payroll concerns with accuracy, professionalism, and urgency.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy, and controls.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including complex payroll processing.
• 2+ years of payroll leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now, including payroll processing, imports, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime and minimum wage compliance.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience reconciling, validating, and analyzing large datasets.
• Experience importing payroll data from multiple systems or external data sources.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to establish controls and independently verify payroll accuracy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with piece-rate, production-based, incentive-based, or other nontraditional compensation structures.
• Experience processing payroll for geographically dispersed or field-based employees.
• Experience with California payroll and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Experience managing high-volume payroll operations.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off