Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator

SPAR is a global leader in consumer solutions, proudly partnering with top-tier CPG brands and Fortune 100 retailers across 10 countries. As we continue to grow, we're expanding our team with passionate professionals who are ready to make an impact. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy solving problems, and are driven by operational excellence—we want to hear from you!

Are you a detail-driven analyst who loves turning numbers into insights that shape real business decisions? We're looking for a Payroll Administrator to join our growing finance team in Charlotte, NC and play a meaningful role in financial planning, analysis, decision support, and strategy execution. In this role, you'll partner across teams, bring visibility to financial performance, and help drive smarter business outcomes. If you're proactive, analytical, and excited to grow your career in finance, this is your chance to make an impact.

The Payroll Administrator is responsible for supporting payroll operations through accurate and timely processing of employee payroll data, responding to inquiries, handling garnishments, and performing system updates. This role reports directly to the Payroll Supervisor and plays a critical role in ensuring payroll transactions are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with established policies and procedures.

This role serves as the employee facing payroll support, ensuring prompt handling of payroll related issues, and inquiries. It is imperative that any payroll related exceptions are escalated to the Payroll Supervisor who serves as the primary point of escalation and resolution owner. Key responsibilities include:

• Respond to payroll-related communications and employee inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Promptly escalate complex or unresolved issues to the Payroll Supervisor
• Process and maintain wage garnishments in accordance with established procedures and escalate non-routine or complex garnishment issues to the Payroll Supervisor.
• Perform data entry and process payroll-related updates as required to support accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Update and maintain accurate employee payroll records in Workday.
• Assist in payroll processing preparation by entering, organizing, and validating payroll data
• Support payroll audits, reporting, and documentation as assigned.
• Maintain organized records of payroll transactions, correspondence, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with employment verifications that require payroll data.
• Route all payroll discrepancies, employee concerns, and exceptions through the Payroll Supervisor for review and resolution.
• Ensure adherence to payroll policies, procedures, and confidentiality standards.
• Provide general administrative support to the payroll function.
• Confer with Payroll Supervisor, before making any escalation to HR or Finance leadership unless specifically directed by the Payroll Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Decision-making authority includes:

• Support issue resolution by providing complete, accurate documentation and context when escalating to the Payroll Supervisor.
• Follow established payroll procedures and ensure issues are routed through the appropriate internal chain of command.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive payroll matters.

Additional duties, responsibilities and/or experience include:

• Experience with Workday or similar HRIS/payroll systems preferred.
• Strong data entry skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• High attention to detail with ability to ensure accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to follow direction and adhere to structured escalation processes.
• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and strong sense of urgency.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Education: Two- or Four-Year degree from an accredited institution in a related field such as Accounting, Finance, HR, preferred.

Experience: 1–3 years of payroll, HR, or administrative experience.

Computer Skills: Working knowledge of Workday and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, with the ability to accurately enter, update, and maintain payroll data.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: The work environment for this position is an office setting.

Physical Demands: Seeing, hearing, walking, standing, lifting up to 50 lbs., bending, speaking, sitting, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required.

We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer: SPAR provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition, to federal law requirements, SPAR complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which it has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. SPAR expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SPAR's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.