Associate Manager, Payroll

At Stryker, payroll is more than processing—it’s about precision, trust, and impact. This role plays a critical part in ensuring our employees are paid accurately and on time while strengthening compliant, scalable payroll operations across borders. If you thrive at the intersection of payroll expertise, systems leadership, and continuous improvement, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

What You Will Do

Payroll Operations

• Manage end-to-end U.S. multi-state and Canadian payroll processing, including regular and off-cycle runs, terminations, severance, and leave payments.

• Oversee payroll calculations, reports, audits, and reconciliations to ensure accurate, timely delivery aligned with service level agreements.

Compliance & Payroll Tax

• Ensure compliance with U.S. federal, state, and local payroll laws and Canadian federal and provincial regulations, including garnishments and agency inquiries.

• Manage payroll tax filings, remittances, adjustments, and year-end reporting (W‑2, T4, T2200) in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Serve as subject matter expert for payroll systems, supporting implementations, integrations, upgrades, and ongoing optimization.

• Lead testing and validation while driving automation, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Audit, Reporting & Controls

• Lead payroll-related internal, external, and regulatory audits, including maintaining audit-ready documentation and internal controls.

• Perform reconciliations, variance analysis, and reporting to provide accurate payroll insights to HR and Finance partners.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, develop, and support payroll team members while resolving escalated payroll issues and providing payroll expertise.

• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and vendors to support cross-border payroll, expatriate, and relocation processing.

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field (or 6 years equivalent professional experience)

• Minimum 6 years of payroll experience, including U.S. multi-state payroll

• Experience using enterprise payroll systems, including Workday Payroll, ADP, or Dayforce

• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll tax compliance, filings, remittances, and garnishment processing

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and data analysis functions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Canadian payroll operations strongly preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification

• Experience using payroll tax engines or compliance platforms

• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or large-scale payroll transformations

While not required, proximity to Kalamazoo, Michigan is preferred.

United States of America Pay Ranges:

• USN: $89,300 - $148,800 USD Annual
• US5: $93,800 - $156,200 USD Annual
• US10: $98,200 - $163,700 USD Annual
• US15: $102,700 - $171,100 USD Annual
• US20: $107,200 - $178,600 USD Annual
• US30: $116,100 - $193,400 USD Annual

View the U.S. work location and transparency guide to find the pay range for your location.