Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

KNAPP brings new technology to warehouse automation. The KNAPP Group is a global provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, specializing in the sectors healthcare, fashion/apparel, general retail, food retail, industry and service. We live and breathe automation. We, more than 8,000 employees of the KNAPP Group across over 60 locations worldwide, shaping the future-oriented intralogistics industry, are dedicated to making complexity simple.

One of KNAPP's primary goals is to use continuous innovation to drive warehouse automation forward, always with the specific needs of the customers in mind. KNAPP Group's unrelenting development activity is evident in everything from automated order picking systems and continuing refinement of container handling technology to its state-of-the-art, industry leading software solutions.

The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a payroll subject matter expert responsible for managing complex payroll activities, ensuring payroll tax compliance, supporting audits, and driving continuous process improvements. This role provides advanced technical expertise across payroll operations, resolves escalated payroll issues, and supports payroll projects, system implementations, and process optimization initiatives.

The Senior Payroll Specialist partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, and business leaders to ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient payroll processing while maintaining a high level of service for employees. In addition, this role serves as a mentor to junior payroll team members and contributes to the development of payroll best practices and governance standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Handle complex payroll transactions and scenarios, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Lead end-to-end payroll processing activities, including audits, validations, reconciliations, and payroll balancing.
• Review payroll data for accuracy and resolve payroll discrepancies prior to processing.
• Administer and monitor payroll tax activities, garnishments, deductions, and wage-related compliance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with payroll policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance and technical expertise on payroll legislation, taxation, system functionality, and payroll best practices.
• Research and resolve difficult payroll-related issues utilizing strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, and industry trends.
• Prepare supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
• Participate in compliance reviews and controls testing activities.
• Identify payroll risks and recommend corrective actions to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Support implementation and monitoring of payroll controls and governance processes.
• Identify opportunities for payroll process improvements, automation, and operational efficiencies.
• Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and integration activities.
• Develop and update payroll procedures, process documentation, and training materials.
• Support organizational initiatives related to HRIS, payroll technology, and process transformation
• Provide coaching, guidance, and knowledge sharing to Payroll Administrators and Payroll Specialists.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new payroll team members.
• Promote best practices and foster continuous improvement within the payroll function.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, and business leaders to address payroll-related matters.
• Support reporting requests and provide payroll analysis to stakeholders as needed.
• Communicate effectively with employees regarding sensitive and complex payroll matters.

Skills

Functional Knowledge

• Advanced payroll administration
• Multi-state payroll processing
• Payroll tax compliance
• Audits and reconciliations
• Payroll accounting processes
• Regulatory compliance

Leadership Skills

• Mentoring and coaching
• Analytical thinking
• Process improvement
• Collaboration
• Customer relationship management

Technical Skills

• Advanced payroll systems
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Data analysis and reporting
• Payroll reconciliations
• Process documentation

Decision Making

• Make independent decisions regarding complex payroll transactions.
• Investigates and resolves payroll discrepancies and compliance issues.
• Recommend process improvements and system enhancements.
• Provides guidance to Payroll Administrators and Payroll Specialists.

Scope & Impact

• Manages complex payroll activities and reconciliations.
• Supports compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for payroll processes.
• Influences payroll accuracy, efficiency, and compliance outcomes.

What You Have

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Experience processing complex multi-state payrolls.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, wage and hour requirements, and payroll taxation.
• Experience with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and payroll reporting tools.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll audits and compliance initiatives.
• Experience participating in payroll system implementations, upgrades, or migrations.
• Knowledge of ADP, SuccessFactors, or other enterprise payroll platforms.
• Advanced payroll administration
• Multi-state payroll processing

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Occasional travel may be required
• Authorization to work in the U.S
• Passport or ability to obtain passport
• Professional office etiquette is required at all times
• Physical requirements: Sitting for long periods of time, standing, walking, speaking, visual acuity, finger dexterity, listening, reaching at arm's length, and lifting up to 20 pounds.

What You Will Get

• 2 remote days per week
• Half day Fridays
• A beautiful new, state-of-the-art, office complex in Kennesaw, GA
• Industry competitive compensation
• Great benefits with better than average employer contributions, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short & Long Term Disability and more!
• 401k with a very generous employer match and no vesting!
• Paid Vacation & Holidays
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Parental Leave
• Subsidized Daycare
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Pet Insurance
• Subsidized food delivery
• Monthly celebrations
• Quarterly employee events
• Corporate Social Responsibility including recycling, sustainability and volunteering

KNAPP is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other basis protected by law.

Due to the safety-sensitive nature of this position, strict adherence to KNAPP's drug-free workplace policy is required. All candidates will be subject to drug-screening in accordance with the policy and will be expected to remain drug-free during their employment. There will be no exception if recreational or medical use of marijuana is permitted in the location of employment and/or residence or if use of marijuana is only during "off-hours."