Payroll Coordinator

Payroll & Benefits CoordinatorLocation: 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.Great Hire is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, employing, retaining, promoting, terminating, and otherwise treating all employees on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of any trait or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.