Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist
Location: Hybrid - Ashland, MA

About KiddeFenwal

KiddeFenwal is a global leader in industrial and commercial fire suppression systems and safety controls. Through our trusted brands-Kidde Fire Systems and Kidde Fire Protection-we deliver certified fire detection, suppression, and control solutions across industrial, commercial, and marine sectors. Our Fenwal Controls business supports OEMs with gas ignition, temperature control, and overheat detection products.

Headquartered in Ashland, Massachusetts, with operations in the United States, United Kingdom (KFI-UK), and India (KTI-India), we are committed to protecting lives, livelihoods, and iconic assets worldwide. Learn more at

Our Purpose

We protect lives and livelihoods through innovation, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to excellence. Integrity, safety, and teamwork are the foundation of everything we do.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our team in Ashland, MA. This role is responsible for accurate and timely payroll administration, employee support, and compliance across the payroll lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings at least five years of payroll experience, strong hands-on knowledge of ADP Workforce Now with ADP Essential Services, and practical expertise administering paid leaves and applying Massachusetts wage and hour requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately, process and review weekly and bi-weekly US payrolls, including regular earnings, overtime, bonuses, commissions, deductions, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.
• Administer payroll in ADP Workforce Now and partner with ADP Essential Services team to resolve processing, tax, configuration, and compliance issues.
• Audit time and attendance, employee changes, pay rates, tax elections, direct deposits, benefit deductions, and leave-related payroll entries before submission.
• Coordinate payroll impacts of paid leaves, including Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave, earned sick time, company-sponsored leave programs, and related benefit or wage-replacement payments.
• Apply federal, state, and local payroll requirements, with particular attention to Massachusetts wage payment, overtime, final-pay, recordkeeping, and wage-and-hour rules.
• Research and resolve employee payroll questions and discrepancies promptly, professionally, and confidentially.
• Reconcile payroll registers, tax reports, benefit deductions, funding, and general ledger interfaces; support quarter-end and year-end activities, including W-2 review.
• Maintain complete payroll records, internal controls, operating procedures, and audit-ready documentation.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to Finance function to support monthly close and research any discrepancies with financial transactions
• Partner with Finance, managers, employees, and external providers to improve payroll accuracy, service, and process efficiency.
• Serve as a back-up for the global payroll processing

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible payroll processing experience.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll in ADP Workforce Now and working with ADP Essential Services.
• Demonstrated experience administering payroll-related aspects of paid leaves and coordinating leave payments, deductions, and employee records.
• Working knowledge of Massachusetts wage and hour requirements and their application to payroll.
• Strong payroll reconciliation, auditing, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Clear communication, customer-service, and organizational skills, with the ability to meet firm deadlines and manage competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Experience processing multi-state payroll and researching state-specific tax, wage, and leave requirements.
• Global payroll experience, including coordination with international payroll providers or regional teams.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or similar credential.
• Experience supporting payroll tax filings, general ledger reconciliation, audits, and year-end reporting.

Role Objectives

• Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant payroll with strong controls and minimal corrections.
• Provide responsive, clear, and confidential support to employees and internal partners.
• Strengthen payroll procedures, documentation, reconciliations, and use of ADP Workforce Now.
• Stay current on payroll, paid leave, tax, and wage-and-hour developments that affect the organization.