Snr Payroll Specialist @ CPG (New York City Metropolitan Area)

Coda Search has partnered with a rapidly expanding consumer brands company based in Brooklyn, New York. The company has experienced swift growth, now operating more than 100 locations and entering new markets. The team is looking to bring on a Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist to take full ownership of payroll and benefits administration from start to finish. As the sole member of this function, you will serve as the company’s primary resource for processing payroll for both salaried and hourly staff, as well as conducting payroll audits and reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end, multi-state payroll processing for more than 1,000 salaried and hourly employees.
• Supervise and maintain timekeeping records for hourly staff, including overtime, shift differentials, premium pay, and retroactive adjustments.
• Process new hires, separations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, and off-cycle payments with accuracy and timeliness.
• Administer payroll deductions and withholdings, including benefits, 401(k) contributions, wage garnishments, and child support orders.
• Conduct pre- and post-payroll reconciliations to identify variances and errors before they affect employees.
• Perform routine payroll audits of pay rates, deductions, tax configurations, paid time off balances, and employee records, and implement corrective controls.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations, including requirements across multiple states.
• Act as the principal contact for employee inquiries regarding payroll and benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years of direct payroll experience, including end-to-end processing for both salaried and hourly employees.
• Experience with a leading payroll/HRIS platform such as ADP, Paylocity, UKG, or Rippling.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and reconciliation workbooks.
• Meticulous attention to detail and the discretion to manage confidential information.
• Ability to work autonomously as the sole owner of the function and to balance competing deadlines.