Payroll Specialist (Remote)

Payroll Excellence. Exceptional Service. Trusted Accuracy.

Location: Remote (Preferred: Mountain, Central, or Pacific Time Zones)
Client Location: Mountain Time Zone (New Mexico)
Employment Type: Contract 

Position Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join their growing Human Resources and Payroll team. This fully remote position supports a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees operating in a 24/7 industrial environment across the state of New Mexico.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, customer-focused payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands the importance of accuracy, compliance, and exceptional service. This role serves as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and Human Resources by ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Candidates with experience supporting organizations in the mining, oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, utilities, or other industrial sectors are highly encouraged to apply.

Essential Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees.
• Maintain payroll records while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable wage and hour laws.
• Review payroll transactions for accuracy, including new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings.
• Audit payroll reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll processing.
• Coordinate payroll balancing, reconciliations, and year-end activities.

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and managers.
• Provide exceptional customer service by responding promptly and professionally to payroll inquiries.
• Educate employees on payroll policies, deductions, timekeeping, and tax-related matters.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership to ensure payroll accuracy.

Timekeeping Administration

• Maintain and audit employee timekeeping records using Kronos (UKG Workforce).
• Troubleshoot timekeeping discrepancies and partner with managers to ensure accurate approvals.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, shift differentials, premium pay, and leave balances.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including New Mexico wage and hour requirements.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for audits.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Support annual payroll activities, including W-2 processing and payroll tax reporting.

Continuous Improvement

• Recommend process improvements that increase payroll accuracy, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Assist with payroll system enhancements, testing, and implementation initiatives.
• Participate in special payroll and HR projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience supporting organizations with 200+ employees.
• Experience processing both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles.
• Experience with Kronos (UKG Workforce) timekeeping systems is required.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll best practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work remotely while maintaining regular business hours aligned with the Mountain Time Zone.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.
• Experience with Engage PEO or similar Professional Employer Organization (PEO) payroll platforms preferred.
• Experience processing payroll in New Mexico.
• Experience within the mining, oil & gas, industrial construction, manufacturing, utilities, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, timekeeping systems, and payroll reporting.