Payroll Operations Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily payroll operations, including supervising, coaching, and developing payroll staff
• Process bi‑weekly, multi‑state payrolls including regular, off‑cycle, retroactive, and adjustment payrolls
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, wage and hour laws, and payroll policies
• Oversee time and attendance processing, exception management, and payroll input validation
• Partner with HR, Operations, and HRIS to improve timecard accuracy, workflows, and self‑service adoption
• Coordinate with third‑party payroll vendors to administer payroll taxes, garnishments, and deductions
• Review payroll tax filings, deposits, quarterly reports, year‑end processing, and W‑2 production
• Maintain payroll documentation, internal controls, reconciliations, and audit‑ready processes
• Reconcile payroll sub‑ledger accounts to the general ledger and provide payroll reporting and metrics
• Drive continuous improvement through process optimization, automation, and system enhancements

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of multi‑state payroll processing and wage and hour compliance
• Experience interpreting and administering union contracts and collective bargaining agreements
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop payroll staff
• Proficiency with payroll systems and third‑party payroll vendors
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and attention‑to‑detail skills
• Effective communication and cross‑functional collaboration abilities

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with UKG payroll and timekeeping systems
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification
• Experience supporting payroll audits and system implementations
• Process improvement or automation experience within payroll operations

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years of experience in a multi‑state payroll environment
• Prior lead or supervisory experience in payroll operations

Why Join Amalgamated Sugar Company