Payroll & HRIS Manager

Job Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This role requires deep expertise with UKG Pro's payroll system, strong analytical skills, and the ability to support a diverse workforce that includes restaurant teams, field-based employees, and corporate personnel. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment and brings a high level of precision, confidentiality, and customer service.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Verifies and ensures that all payroll and benefits transactions are processed and reported in a timely and accurate manner.
2. Owns the system data and provides all necessary business reports, statistics and compliance reports as scheduled and requested.
3. Ensures and maintains compliance with all federal, state and/or local regulations and reporting-related payroll/benefits processes.
4. Processes, reviews and analyzes vendor-provided documents and reports in order to validate invoices, track trends, service metrics and other statistical data against services provided.

1. Process biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using UKG Pro, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
2. Review and validate timesheets for accuracy in recording overtime, holidays and other special considerations.
3. Maintain payroll records in UKG Pro, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments.
4. Ensure accurate benefit deductions through review and reconciliation of deductions, prorating calculations, and processing updates in UKG.
5. Review and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission; proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
6. Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and internal controls.
7. Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, system functionality and compliance, ensuring adherence to FLSA, multi-state wage and tax laws, and company policies.
8. Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for Finance and Operations leadership.
9. Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefits, audits, reconciliations, and related compliance reporting.
10. Review payroll tax filings, reconcile payroll tax liabilities, and coordinate with UKG to resolve notices and discrepancies.
11. Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and explanations as needed.
12. Maintain confidentiality and data integrity at all times.
13. Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing clear and timely communication.
14. Educate employees and managers on payroll processes, timekeeping expectations, and UKG Pro self-service tools.
15. Partner with HR to resolve discrepancies or complex payroll issues.
16. Responsible for validating benefit enrollments, life event changes, and benefits data audits.
17. Collaborate with the HR team to ensure alignment between payroll and benefits data, especially for deductions, arrears, and taxable benefits.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements.
• High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis).
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Detail-driven - catches discrepancies before they become issues.
• Tech-savvy - leverages UKG Pro to its fullest potential.
• Service-oriented - supports employees with clarity and empathy.
• Deadline-focused - thrives in a predictable payroll cycle with occasional project-driven urgency.
• Proactive - anticipates issues and implements solutions before they impact employees.
• Collaborative - partners seamlessly with HR, Finance, and administrative teams.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field of work or equivalent combination of education and work-related experience; Master’s Degree a plus 
• 10+ years of related experience with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines, technologies, and processes related to the position as well as managing teams and/or significant complex projects 
• Strong Human Resources background and experience; previous experience working in a high volume, multi-location organization preferred 

Physical Demands

• Exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including papers, boxes and/or computer equipment.

About Chicken Salad Chick

• Chicken Salad Chick is the nation’s only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept. Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, and Serving Others is our purpose.
• Our brand provides the highest quality ingredients and offers our guests a happy and welcoming feel and decor, specializing in a wide variety of fresh, house-made chicken salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts.