Payroll & Analytics Leader

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Payroll & Analytics Leader to oversee bi-weekly payroll processing and lead payroll-related reporting, reconciliations, and operational analytics for approximately 300 employees. This role is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining strict processing timelines, supporting compliance, and delivering meaningful labor and compensation analytics to leadership.

The Payroll & Analytics Leader will report directly to the Director of Finance and work closely with the Director of Human Resources. This is an in-office position within a transportation-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for approximately 300 employees
• Manage payroll processing timelines, including:
• • Employee clock-in and clock-out submissions
  • Time Manager approvals
  • Final payroll processing deadlines
• Maintain and apply accurate pay rates across:
• • Salaried employees
  • Hourly employees
  • Route-based pay structures
  • Daily rates
• Process gratuities and employee reimbursements
• Maintain PTO balances and time banks
• Ensure payroll records are accurate, complete, and compliant with company policies
• Support payroll audits and maintain payroll documentation

Payroll Analytics & Reporting

• Perform payroll analytics and reconciliations to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement
• Conduct employee pay comparisons and variance analysis
• Analyze current payroll periods against prior periods
• Maintain rolling 3-week payroll averages and labor trend reporting
• Trace employee paid time to specific jobs and assignments
• Compare payroll hours to customer-billed hours of service
• Analyze mileage and calculate wages-per-mile by employee
• Prepare and maintain payroll-related operational reports for leadership review

Reconciliations & Compliance Support

• Reconcile employee reimbursements to receipts and general ledger coding
• Reconcile health insurance premiums to payroll withholdings by pay period
• Reconcile ancillary insurance premiums to payroll withholdings
• Reconcile 401(k) remittances and prepare supporting reports for management
• Reconcile workers’ compensation wages and prepare monthly remittance reporting
• Assist with payroll-related compliance reporting and documentation

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing experience
• Experience processing payroll for multi-rate or operational workforces preferred
• Transportation industry experience preferred
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools
• Knowledge of leveraging AI and technology to improve efficiency preferred
• Rippling experience is a plus

Work Environment

• In-office position
• Collaborative work environment with Finance and Human Resources leadership
• Fast-paced transportation operations setting

Preferred Traits

• Self-motivated and proactive
• Strong problem-solving mindset
• Comfortable working with large datasets and operational metrics
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive payroll information
• Continuous improvement mentality

Additional Information:

Every employee at Gray Line Tennessee has a stake in the safety of our clients, customers, and employees. Gray Line Tennessee is a Drug Free and Smoke Free facility.

Gray Line Tennessee offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining the best employees. We offer health, vision, dental, short and long-term disability, supplemental life and 401k benefits.

Gray Line Tennessee is an equal-opportunity employer, where all qualified applicants will be given equal consideration for employment without regards to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or other statues protected by law.

Please visit www.graylinetn.com/careers to view all our open positions.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.  Title I of the ADA makes it unlawful for any employer to discriminate against a qualified applicant or employee because of a disability in any aspect of employment. 

By applying to this position, I acknowledge that I can perform the essential functions of the job.  If I cannot perform the essential functions of the job, and need to request an accommodation, I will contact human resources immediately at hr@graylinetn.com, in addition to completing the legal documentation required by law.