Payroll & Benefits Manager

What sets us apart?

• Competitive compensation plan, base salary, and annual incentive
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, vision, short term and long- term disability and wellness programs
• 401-k plan with company match
• Comprehensive Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Continuing Education Reimbursement
• Collaborative and Innovative work environment

COMPANY OVERVIEW 

Vantage Apparel is a leading global supplier of custom logo apparel, offering a wide range of high-quality garments and accessories for corporate, promotional, and teamwear needs. As the exclusive provider of Greg Norman®, POLO® Ralph Lauren®, Xtreme Visibility™, Redwood Classics™, and Lane Seven Apparel, Vantage has been the industry’s top-awarded decorator for 30 consecutive years. Since joining forces with Lynka in 2021 to expand our European presence, we have continued to grow our global reach while earning recognition as an ASI Top 40 Supplier and a PPAI Gold Pyramid Top 100 Supplier (#12 in 2025). With more than four decades of experience and multiple “Best Places to Work” honors, Vantage has been the leading B2B innovator in the promotional apparel industry since 1977, delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to customers worldwide.  

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS

The Payroll & Benefits Manager is responsible for overseeing the Company's multi-state payroll and employee benefits programs, ensuring accurate payroll processing and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This role serves as the subject matter expert for payroll, benefits, HRIS, retirement plans, leave administration, and payroll tax compliance, while partnering with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership to support reporting, regulatory compliance, process improvements, and an exceptional employee experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Manage the complete bi-weekly multi-state payroll process, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
• Administer and maintain the Company's payroll and timekeeping systems, ensuring data integrity and partnering with managers to ensure timely approval and accuracy of employee time records.
•  Review, validate, and process all payroll transactions, including new hires, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, commissions, bonuses, terminations, garnishments, benefit deductions, and other payroll adjustments.
• Manage payroll tax administration and reporting in partnership with the Company's payroll provider, including tax registrations, filings, withholding, unemployment accounts, and compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements.
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll, labor, and workforce reports, while providing payroll and retirement plan reporting and documentation to support internal and external audits.
• Ensure accurate year-end payroll processing and reporting, including Forms W-2, 1095-C, 1094-C, and other required federal and state filings.
• Administer all aspects of the Company's 401(k) retirement plan, including enrollments, contribution changes, funding, compliance, participant communications, and coordination with plan administrators.
• Administer Company-sponsored employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, HSA, COBRA, retirement, and other voluntary benefit plans.
• Coordinate and manage the annual Open Enrollment process, including system configuration, testing, employee communications, enrollment support, and implementation of benefit plan changes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee and manager inquiries regarding payroll, benefits, retirement plans, PTO, leave programs, and related policies, providing timely and professional support.
• Train employees and managers on payroll, timekeeping, HRIS, and benefits enrollment systems and related processes.
• Partner with Human Resources, Finance, and third-party vendors to support compliance, audits, financial reporting, policy administration, employee communications, and continuous process improvements.
• Assist with special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Profile 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

• Demonstrate forward-thinking leadership with strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a respectful coaching approach.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and employment compliance requirements.
• Experience managing employee benefit programs, retirement plans, leave administration, and annual Open Enrollment.
• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration, including COBRA, FMLA, ADA, ACA reporting, and retirement plans.
• Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Proven ability to scale operations effectively in high-volume, fast-paced environments.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Manufacturing experience is preferred. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE COMPUTER SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree (B.A) in Business or Payroll Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field required. 
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience managing multi-state payroll and employee benefits administration.
• Demonstrated high proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

At Vantage Apparel we are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or other legally protected status.