Payroll Manager

Position Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing all payroll operations for a large-scale manufacturing organization supporting 4,000+ employees. This position ensures accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role provides leadership over payroll administration, auditing, internal controls, payroll tax compliance, reporting, and process improvement. The Payroll Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, and Operations to ensure payroll accuracy, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll operations for 4,000+ hourly, salaried, and temporary employees.

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of regular wages, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, incentives, deductions, and adjustments.

• Lead payroll audits, reconciliations, and internal control reviews to identify discrepancies and minimize financial and compliance risks.

• Ensure compliance with FLSA, federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, garnishments, and applicable regulations.

• Monitor timekeeping accuracy, employee pay changes, overtime approvals, and payroll adjustments.

• Maintain payroll documentation and support internal, external, and regulatory audits.

• Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Operations to resolve payroll discrepancies and improve processes.

• Oversee payroll systems, HRIS integrations, reporting, and data accuracy.

• Develop and monitor payroll reports, labor cost analysis, and key performance indicators.

• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team while establishing consistent procedures and accountability.

• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvements, and stronger payroll controls.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience.

• 3+ years of payroll management or leadership experience.

• Experience managing high-volume payroll operations, preferably supporting 2,000+ employees; experience with 4,000+ employees strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, FLSA, and wage and hour compliance.

• Demonstrated experience with payroll auditing, reconciliations, internal controls, and compliance.

• Manufacturing experience preferred, particularly supporting hourly employees, multiple shifts, overtime, and complex timekeeping structures.

• Proficiency in payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

• Experience with large-scale payroll and timekeeping systems.

• Experience supporting internal and external financial audits.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.

• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and risk management.

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.

• High level of integrity and confidentiality.