Payroll Specialist

Fuji Food Products, Inc. is a leader in fresh, ready-to-eat meals, best known for our FujiSan sushi kiosks found in grocery stores, warehouse clubs, universities, and more. Since 1990, we’ve brought handcrafted, high-quality sushi and Asian-inspired cuisine to communities across the country. As part of the Meruelo Group since 2009, we’ve grown into a national brand with state-of-the-art kitchens and a strong commitment to food safety, sustainability, and great taste. Our team is passionate about delivering fresh, chef-made meals that are both convenient and delicious. About the Role: We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to oversee our company’s payroll operations. You will be responsible for the end-to-end processing of payroll, ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. The ideal candidate possesses a strong financial aptitude, proficiency in modern payroll software, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality. The Payroll Specialist processes bi-weekly payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees utilizing the ADP Workforce Now system. The individual is responsible for the accuracy of payroll. Key Responsibilities: Reviews regularly timecards for missing punches, approvals, or discrepancies. Checks timecards for completeness and accuracy and coordinates corrections with supervisors and managers. Ensures that payroll is accurate and processed on a timely basis. Provides quick resolution to payroll discrepancies. Research discrepancies effectively, make appropriate corrections, and respond promptly to inquiries from managers and employees. Make 401 (k) payments and adjustments. Develops and distributes custom payroll reports. Ensure Payroll Action Forms are processed accordingly, including but not limited to new hires, transfers, and promotions. Reconciles benefits payments, including but not limited to life insurance and voluntary employee deductions. Reconciles temporary agency invoices. Audits timecard approvals by employees. Reviews and processes payments to adhere to state regulations and company policies. Calculates overtime, pay rate differential, and other applicable special pay calculations. Places to stop payments and direct deposit reversals as needed. Prepares and balances pay data and manual adjustment batches. Calculating and processing manual checks as needed. Validates payroll preview data using various reports and Excel templates and completes corrections prior to transmission. Audit employee expense reports in SAP Concur for completeness and compliance prior to reimbursement through ADP Maintain employee training records by updating the E-Compliance system with completed safety training information. Process Travel Request Form (TRF) for Signatures from the Dept Head and Final form from the CEO. Reconcile and submit records for every payroll Maintains effective working relationships with other departments. Assists with handling employee questions. Calculates retroactive pay adjustments. Assist managers and employees with timecard procedure inquiries and training. Calculates paid time off accrual adjustments. Add New Team Members on Time Clock and/or ADP. Assist Team Members with any ADP issues. Act as liaison with outside payroll vendors for accurate and timely payroll processing, problem resolution, and error corrections; participates in the evaluation of payroll system products and companies and makes recommendations for changes. Maintains orderly payroll records in compliance with state and federal record retention laws. Performs and assists with other payroll and accounting-related duties as assigned. Maintains a very high level of ethics and confidentiality of payroll and personnel information. Other Duties & Responsibilities: Collaborate with other staff to support and enable the department to meet overall goals and objectives. Supports the Human Resources department with special projects. Perform other duties as required. Qualifications: High School Diploma Required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting preferred. Five years of payroll experience or a combination of work experience and subject matter education preferred. Experience with ADP Workforce Now. Bilingual English and Spanish preferred, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Professional-level writing and verbal communication skills. Well-developed interpersonal skills and professional demeanor, with an ability to interact with employees and others at any level within the organization. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with extreme professionalism. Ability to learn and apply departmental or Company policies, procedures, and rules. Ability to learn and apply Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to human resources. Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision. Ability to work independently and within a team. Ability to establish and maintain co-operative working relationships with employees, managers, and Company leadership. Solid understanding of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), payroll taxes, and general accounting principles. Office Environment - Constantly (67-100%) Refrigerated Environment (35° – 45 °) - Rarely (0-15%) (Non-essential) Freezer Environment (0° – 32 °) - Rarely (0-15%) (Non-essential) Driving Motor Vehicle - Rarely (0-15%) (Non-essential) Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This is largely a sedentary job. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit for long periods of time, often in front of a computer screen. The employee performs heavy computer use (keyboard and mouse), occasional light lifting (less than 15 lbs), standing, walking, and stair climbing. Mental Demands: Ability to understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions or other information. Ability to understand, remember, and communicate routine, factual information. Ability to understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions. Ability to understand opposing points of view on highly complex issues and to negotiate and integrate different viewpoints. Ability to organize thoughts and ideas into understandable terminology. At Meruelo, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and better business outcomes. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr