Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Base Pay $70,500.00 - $78,000.00 / Year Industry Winery, Manufacturing, Food Processing Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, is seeking to add a Payroll & Benefits Administrator to our team. The Payroll & Benefits Administrator owns end-to-end payroll processing and benefits administration within an established approval framework, in collaboration with the HR Director. This role is the primary point of accountability for payroll accuracy reviewing data for discrepancies, verifying compliance with internal controls and regulatory requirements, and resolving issues with managers before they escalates. The position is highly detail-oriented, thrives in a structured environment, and brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to the HR team. In addition, this role provides day-to-day HR support for a small, designated employee population, serving as a local point of contact for employee questions, benefits and leave coordination, and routine employee relations matters. The Payroll & Benefits Administrator collaborates closely with the HR Generalist, who supports the majority of the workforce, and escalates complex employee relations, compliance, or risk-related issues to the HR Director as appropriate. Employee Support & HR Partnership (Designated Location Coverage) Serve as an initial point of contact for a designated employee population, providing day-to-day support and guidance, and assisting with employee questions and concerns. Support resolution of employee questions related to benefits, leave of absence, and workplace concerns. Support employee relations matters, including intake and documentation of employee concerns, escalating complex or high-risk issues as appropriate. Help explain company policies and provide guidance to employees and managers, escalating questions as needed. Assist with workers’ compensation and leave processes, including initial intake, coordination, and employee communication, in partnership with internal stakeholders and external vendors. Payroll Processing & Administration Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule, including audits, and reconciliations. Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies, working directly with managers to address root causes and presenting recommendations to the HR Director as needed. Administer final pay processing, retroactive adjustments, and wage compliance. Ensure compliance with applicable California wage and hour requirements. Benefits Systems & Reconciliation Administer employee benefits and ensure accurate integration with payroll. Perform payroll-to-benefits reconciliations and carrier invoice audits. Maintain benefits eligibility and system configurations in HRIS. Partner with HR Generalist on benefits changes and escalations. HRIS & Data Management Maintain HRIS records related to payroll and benefits (job changes, pay changes, terminations). Maintain and update HRIS configurations related to policies, benefits, and compliance requirements. Maintain data accuracy and integrity across systems. Compliance & Reporting Support compliance-related activities, including audits, reporting, and coordination with external vendors (e.g., payroll, benefits, and leave providers) to ensure accurate data and timely follow-up. Coordinate with LOA vendor on payroll-related data to ensure accurate pay and benefit impacts. Manage employment verifications and related documentation. Support workers’ compensation claims administration by coordinating payroll, benefits, and HRIS updates related to covered injuries. Assist with communication between workers’ compensation carriers and insurance partners to ensure accurate wage reporting and benefits continuation for active WC claims. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, HR, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience) 2+ years of payroll and benefits administration experience Knowledge of CA wage and hour laws, payroll compliance, and benefits administration Attention to detail and strong analytical skills Experience with HRIS and payroll system s (IBS or UKG experience preferred) at a company with 100+ employees Exposure to compliance reporting such as 1095’s, 401k audits, EEO-1 reporting. Rack & Riddle is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is subject to a background check in accordance with applicable laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. This role's compensation is anticipated to fit within the stated range. These figures represent what we reasonably expect to pay for this position, but the actual compensation offered will depend on numerous job-related factors, including but not limited to candidate skills, knowledge, and education. #J-18808-Ljbffr