Payroll/Benefits Specialist

Description

Who Are We...

Ashworth, a global company, is the only conveyor belt company that manufactures and services both metal and plastic belting for straight running, turn-curve, lotension, and self-stacking spirals-- offering customers the best solution for their specific requirements. Celebrating over 75 years of revolutionizing the future of conveyor belts, Ashworth continues to lead the market with the most conveyor belt patents in the food processing, can making, and material handling industries.


Ashworth strives to be the premiere employer within our industry and a leading employer within our community. We want to attract and retain the best associates for our organization, recognizing our success depends on a partnership based on respect, involvement, development, and growth for all our employees.


We would like to welcome a new colleague in our Payroll/Benefits Specialist Position in our Fall River, Massachusetts, location that can strategically help us to achieve our company goals for future success.

Position Qualifications

Payroll Responsibilities

• Process the full payroll cycle (e.g., weekly/biweekly/semi-monthly) for hourly and salaried employees, including new site locations.
• Manage employee data in the payroll and partner with HR with HRIS systems: new hires, terminations, status changes, transfers, pay rate changes, garnishments, etc.
• Maintain and audit payroll records and reconciliations: general ledger entries, bank reconciliations, benefit deductions, tax withholdings, garnishments, benefit contributions, etc.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll tax laws and regulations, wage and hour laws, employee classification rules, unemployment insurance, wage attachments/garnishments, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with quarterly/annual tasks: tax filings/remittances, W-2 processing, 1099s where applicable, year-end payroll close, audits, and regulatory filings.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation (multi-state as applicable), interpret impacts to the organization, and proactively recommend updates to policies/procedures.
• Partner with HR to develop payroll process improvements, standard operating procedures, and controls to support accuracy, efficiency and scalability.

Benefits Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), HSA/FSA, and other benefit offerings.
• Partner with HR to coordinate open enrollment processes, including employee communications, enrollment system setup, and eligibility verification.
• Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in accordance with plan documents and carrier requirements.
• Serve as primary liaison with benefits carriers, vendors, and brokers to resolve issues and ensure accurate administration.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, and other benefits-related regulations; maintain required documentation and reporting.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and audit benefit deductions to ensure accuracy between payroll and carrier billing.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefit coverage, eligibility, claims, and plan provisions in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepare and distribute required benefits notices and communications (e.g., Summary Plan Descriptions, notices of COBRA rights, ACA notices).
• Support benefits compliance reporting, including ACA 1094/1095 forms, 5500 filings, nondiscrimination testing, and benefits audits.
• Main point of contact for external auditors regarding plan audits.
• Other duties as needed

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a closely related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3-5 years of progressive payroll and benefits administration experience (ideally in a growing/multi-location organization).
• Payroll and/or benefits certification preferred (e.g., American Payroll Association - FPC/CPP, CEBS, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience with payroll/HRIS systems
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions (states, localities) and benefits compliance (ERISA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA).
• Strong Excel/computer skills.
• Proven ability to process large volumes of payroll data accurately and meet strict deadlines while managing benefits administration tasks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time-management skills with ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• High level of attention to detail and confidentiality in handling sensitive employee/payroll/benefits data.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to explain complex payroll and benefits concepts to employees.
• Understanding of general ledger payroll accounting in a multi-company environment.
• Able and willing to work outside of normal business hours as needed.

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience establishing payroll operations and controls for new business locations or jurisdictions (site expansion).
• Experience in implementing or supporting multi-state payroll operations, including tax registration, multi-state wage laws, state unemployment, and local tax obligations.
• Experience working with or integrating HRIS systems (time & attendance, benefits, HR modules) with payroll during system implementations.
• Ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness for payroll and benefits processes, maintaining accuracy and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Deep knowledge of benefit plan impacts on payroll (e.g., 401(k), Section 125, health/welfare deductions, COBRA, HSA/FSA) and how to coordinate payroll-HR/benefits interfaces.
• Change-management mindset: able to guide process improvements, standardize payroll and benefits administration across regions, and support growth.
• Experience with benefits compliance reporting and filings (ACA 1094/1095, Form 5500, nondiscrimination testing, COBRA administration).
• Experience in a multi-shift manufacturing environment.