Payroll Coordinator

Job Title: Payroll & Benefits Coordinator

Location: Brea, CA (On-site)

Position Type: Direct Contract (6-Month Initial Term)

Schedule: Full-Time / Part-Time (30–40 Hours/Week)

Pay Rate: $25.00 – $32.00 / hour (DOE)

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll & Benefits Coordinator to support operations at our soap manufacturing facility in Brea, CA. This position manages bi-weekly payroll processing, daily benefit administration, employee onboarding, and HRIS data maintenance using UKG. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and ensures accurate, timely payroll and seamless employee support.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process payroll for full-time hourly plant workers, non-exempt production staff, and exempt office personnel via UKG Pro / UKG Ready.
• Review UKG time tracking data, shift differentials, overtime calculations, and meal/rest break compliance for manufacturing operations.
• Process wage garnishments, pay adjustments, tax withholdings, and final paychecks in accordance with California labor laws.
• Audit pay runs within UKG for accuracy prior to submission and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly.

Benefits & HRIS Support

• Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries (health, dental, vision, 401k, PTO, and leaves of absence).
• Coordinate open enrollment, life-event updates, carrier billing reconciliations, and benefit terminations through the UKG benefits module.
• Maintain clean, updated employee records across the UKG platform (new hires, job changes, pay rate updates, termination processing).
• Generate recurring payroll, time-tracking, and headcount reports using UKG report writer features for finance and operations management.

Plant Support & Compliance

• Experienced in manufacturing environment.
• Assist hourly production staff with UKG self-service navigation, timecard entries, and benefit-related questions.
• Maintain confidential physical and electronic personnel files in compliance with state and federal privacy standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 2+ years of hands-on payroll processing and benefits coordination experience, preferably within manufacturing, distribution, or warehouse environments.
• HRIS Proficiency: Demonstrated hands-on experience using UKG (UKG Pro, UKG Ready, or Ultimate Software/Kronos) for payroll processing, timekeeping, and employee record management.
• Compliance Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of California wage-and-hour regulations, meal break penalties, and payroll processing laws.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, data reconciliation, basic formulas) and MS Office Suite.
• Attributes: High level of confidentiality, strong attention to detail, clear written and verbal communication skills, and ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic manufacturing facility.