Sr Payroll Analyst - Limited Term

Job Summary

The Senior Payroll Analyst is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and related accounting activities for a multi-state workforce. This role serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for payroll operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining exceptional standards of accuracy and confidentiality.

The position partners closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, and Information Technology teams to support payroll administration, systems integrations, process improvements, reporting, audits, and compliance initiatives. The Senior Payroll Specialist plays a key role in maintaining payroll systems, resolving complex payroll issues, and supporting strategic payroll projects and system enhancements.

This position is a limited-term assignment expected to last through March 31, 2029. This assignment is temporary in nature and does not guarantee continued employment beyond the assignment period. Employees in this role are eligible for designated company benefits and are subject to company policies and procedures

Payroll Administration

• Process and distribute weekly and bi-weekly payrolls, including executive compensation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Maintain payroll accuracy standards of 99.8% or greater.
• Administer employee payroll records, including tax withholding elections, direct deposit information, deductions, garnishments, and retirement contributions.
• Review, reconcile, and balance payroll data, identifying and resolving discrepancies or exception items.
• Process payroll adjustments, off-cycle payments, year-end corrections, and special payroll transactions.
• Research and resolve employee payroll inquiries, tax reporting issues, direct deposit exceptions, and garnishment matters.

Manufacturing Payroll Support

• Administer complex manufacturing payroll elements including - Shift premiums, Overtime calculations, Attendance incentives, Production bonuses, etc. 
• Partner with local HR, and Operations to resolve payroll issues impacting plant employees. 
• Review timekeeping data from manufacturing workforce management systems. 

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements, including overtime calculations.
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports for internal management, external stakeholders, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Support annual payroll tax filings, year-end processing, W-2 preparation, and payroll-related audits.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll-related general ledger transactions and accounting records.

Systems Administration and Process Improvement

• Serve as the primary payroll systems resource and first-level support for payroll-related applications.
• Maintain and support payroll, timekeeping, and HRIS platforms, including:
  • ADP Workforce Now®
  • UKG Dimensions (Time, Attendance, and Accrual modules)
  • Oracle HCM
• Review payroll integration files and data imports to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Perform payroll uploads and reconciliations within Oracle Finance.
• Develop, execute, and document system testing for software upgrades, enhancements, integrations, and process changes.
• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, compliance, controls, and user experience.
• Collaborate with Information Technology and vendors to troubleshoot system issues and support ongoing system optimization.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Human Resources and Benefits teams to ensure accurate processing of new hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, leaves of absence, and terminations.
• Coordinate with Compensation and Benefits teams regarding employee benefit deductions and payroll impacts.
• Serve as liaison with the company's 401(k) recordkeeper and support retirement plan administration activities.
• Assist in developing payroll-related training materials, documentation, and employee education resources.

Audit and Special Projects

• Support annual financial, payroll tax, and 401(k) audits by preparing required documentation and reconciliations.
• Participate in payroll-related projects, system implementations, process redesign initiatives, and regulatory updates.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5+ years’ experience processing high volume payroll, preferably in a multi-site manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements.

Technical Skills

• Advanced experience with ADP Workforce Now required.
• Experience with UKG Dimensions/Kronos Time & Attendance systems required.
• Experience with Oracle HCM or other enterprise HRIS platforms preferred.
• Strong payroll reconciliation and reporting experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, and data analysis functions.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations, upgrades, and user acceptance testing (UAT) preferred.

Professional Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity and discretion.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

Certifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.