Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist Niron Magnetics Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Human Resources About this position About Niron Niron Magnetics is commercializing the first new magnetic material in decades powered by its breakthrough material formulation and advanced manufacturing process. The company’s proprietary magnet technology based on Iron Nitride enables magnets that are inherently high magnetization, free of rare earths and other critical materials, and solve supply chain reliability challenges, will drive innovation in various industries. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Niron Magnetics is comprised of a team of professionals with a desire to make a positive impact on the global community. We were named one of “America's Top GreenTech Companies” for 2024 and 2025 by TIME Magazine and the “Innovation of the Year” at the 2025 mHUB Fourth Revolution Awards. Our team is made up of people who think big, dare to innovate, and strive to impact the planet through technological innovation for our customers. Ready to work alongside amazing people, solve complex problems, and leave a legacy? Join our team. About the Role We’re looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist who is energized by details, enjoys solving problems, and takes pride in accuracy. This person will play a key role in building and supporting our first fully in-house payroll function. It’s an opportunity to help shape the foundation of a scalable payroll operation during a period of exciting company growth. If you enjoy a blend of reliable processes, meaningful problem-solving, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment, this role may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. What you’ll do: Payroll Processing Process payroll for exempt, non-exempt, and shift-based employees with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Perform employee-level validation of timecards, earnings, deductions, and taxes before finalizing payroll. Ensure all payroll components (including off-cycle and bonus payrolls) are complete and correctly configured. Use payroll checklists and controls to ensure consistent, complete, and repeatable processes. Identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is processed. Payroll Compliance & Tax Apply federal, state, and local payroll requirements accurately and consistently (FLSA, ESST, MN PFML, multi-state taxation). Maintain and manage multi-state tax registrations, accounts, and rate updates. Partner with Finance to review payroll tax filings and resolve notices or variances quickly and accurately. Identify compliance risks and take proactive action to resolve and prevent issues. Maintain audit-ready documentation and support internal and external audits. Benefits Administration & Leave Coordination Administer employee benefits (medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, voluntary) ensuring accurate enrollments, changes, and system alignment. Provide clear, timely support to employees for benefits questions and life events. Reconcile benefits data across systems and carriers, ensuring accuracy with payroll deductions. Coordinate leaves of absence (FMLA, state programs like MN PFML, disability) in partnership with external vendors. Track leave status and return-to-work timing, ensuring accurate payroll, benefits, and compliance handling. Ensure leave-related pay, deductions, and benefits are applied correctly and consistently. Support open enrollment, including system updates, employee communications, and data validation. Assist with benefits audits and reporting, maintaining accurate, audit-ready records. Identify and resolve discrepancies, ensuring a smooth and accurate employee experience. Payroll Reporting & Coordination Deliver payroll reports that are accurate, complete, and aligned with stakeholder needs. Distribute reports on time and in a consistent format. Clearly communicate whether information is for awareness or requires action. Maintain organized, accessible payroll records for Finance and Accounting. Operational Excellence & Accountability Own payroll processes end-to-end with a high standard for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Review all work before sharing to ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness. Follow established processes while identifying opportunities for improvement. Take ownership of issues through resolution and root cause correction. Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation at all times. Systems & Process Support Use payroll and HR systems effectively to ensure accurate data and processing. Maintain clean and reliable payroll data, including earnings and deduction configurations. Identify inefficiencies and recommend practical, execution-level improvements. Support updates and enhancements to payroll processes and systems. Manage time and attendance processes, ensuring accurate and timely submission and approval of employee timecards. Review time data for completeness and accuracy, including hours worked, overtime, and shift differentials. Identify and resolve timecard discrepancies prior to payroll processing. Partner with managers and employees to ensure compliance with timekeeping policies and deadlines. Ensure accurate application of overtime rules, pay policies, and state-specific requirements. Maintain and support timekeeping system configurations, including pay codes, schedules, and shift setups. Monitor timekeeping trends and proactively address missing, incomplete, or inconsistent data. Support audits and reporting related to time and attendance, ensuring data accuracy and alignment with payroll. Provide clear guidance to employees and managers on timekeeping processes and expectations. You might be a great fit if you are: Detail-oriented and consistently review work for accuracy before sharing. Accountable and follow through on tasks without gaps. A clear communicator who provides accurate, thoughtful responses. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Proactive in identifying issues and driving practical solutions. Preferred Experience: 5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll processing. Experience supporting payroll in a high-growth, fast-paced environment. Proven experience with benefit audits, payroll deductions, and 401(k) administration. Experience managing or supporting payroll tax registrations, filings, and compliance. Strong Excel skills, including the ability to perform audits, reconciliations, and data validation. Experience working in a modern HRIS/payroll system (e.g., Rippling) with a focus on accuracy and data integrity. Our pay and benefits Salary: $85,000 - $110,000 annually, depending on education, experience and skills Equity position in Niron via stock option grant Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance Mental healthcare benefits 401k plan with 6% company match Paid time off to take time for what you need in life Experience in a fun, high-performing, manufacturing environment set to change the world #J-18808-Ljbffr