Payroll and Benefits Specialist

PAYROLL & BENEFITS SPECIALIST
Location: Holland, MI 49423. This is a full-time onsite role.
Shift: 1st Shift, Monday-Friday
Compensation: Will be discussed during the interview
We’re looking for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join the Hudsonville Ice Cream Team. In this sweet role, you’ll handle payroll processing and develop benefits programs that align with our unique company culture. You’ll work with various teams to improve the team member experience. If you have strong numerical skills and a commitment to creating a supportive workplace, consider applying to help us make a positive impact
at Hudsonville Ice Cream.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist serves as the primary administrator for payroll, and benefits while providing exceptional support to team members and leaders throughout the organization. This role is responsible for accurate payroll processing, benefits administration, compliance, reporting, and HR operational support.

While payroll and benefits will be the primary focus, this position also offers the opportunity to expand into broader human resources functions as HR processes mature. The ideal candidate is passionate about payroll and benefits, enjoys helping employees, and is interested in developing additional HR expertise over time.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll & Timekeeping:

• Accurate end-to-end processing of weekly and bi-weekly payrolls for hourly, executive and salaried team members in UKG Pro WFM/Timekeeping, Core, and Payroll Applications.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, wage & hour laws, tax regulations, and audit requirements, corrections and reconciliations
• Manage off-cycle payrolls, incentives, and special compensation
• Process court orders that impact pay and communicate liens/garnishments to team members.
• Ownership of time & attendance systems, system logic, timecard accuracy, and cutoff controls. 
• Responsible for reviewing and calculating premium adjustments that affect payroll deductions, including determining refunds or retroactive payments resulting from status changes or new hire enrollments.
• Document and maintain comprehensive procedures for all payroll and timekeeping processes to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Participate in payroll system enhancements, testing, and process improvement initiatives.

Benefits:

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness initiatives, and 401(k) plans.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit questions and enrollment support.
• Coordinate new hire benefit enrollment and ongoing qualifying life event changes.
• Process benefit deductions and ensure accurate integration with payroll systems.
• Assist employees with understanding available benefit options and enrollment elections.
• Coordinate and administer annual open enrollment communications and activities.
• Partner with benefit brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure efficient plan administration.
• Support compliance activities related to health and welfare plans, retirement plans, leave programs, and required employee communications.
• Assist with benefit audits, reporting requirements, and reconciliation activities.
• Administer life insurance claims and coordinate support for employees and family members when needed.
• Maintain benefit summary documents, educational materials, and employee resources.
• Participate in benefit system enhancements, testing, and process improvement initiatives.

Employee Support, Reporting & Analytics:

• Partner with HR Business Partners to support employee and organizational needs.
• Support onboarding activities and new hire orientation.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR system data.
• Assist with HR compliance initiatives, audits, and documentation requirements.
• Support employee communication and engagement initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and continuous improvement efforts across HR functions.
• Provide training and support to employees and supervisors on payroll, benefits and timekeeping systems.
• Assist with additional HR initiatives and responsibilities as business needs evolve.
• Support 401(k) funding reporting, benefits reporting, and reconciliation activities.
• Ensure data integrity and provide reliable workforce information to support business decision-making. 

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this role. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. All employees may be required to perform other duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• 2-3 years of payroll administration experience required.
• Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems, preferably UKG Pro, Workforce Management, Core, and Payroll.
• Benefits administration experience preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience creating reports, analyzing data, and supporting process improvements.
• Exposure to broader Human Resources functions is a plus.
• Experience with employee benefit plans, health and wellness, FML/STD/LTD, Life Insurance and 401k Plan Management.

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on process optimization and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Motivated by serving team members in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, analyze, and ability to escalate when needed.
• Ability to be nimble and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Vendor management and customer service skills using diplomacy and sensitivity.
• Ability to learn new systems, processes, and technology quickly.
• Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an standard office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate (up to 20 pounds) amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; may be required to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
• The ability to see normally, including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision with or without correction.
• Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.