Payroll & Benefits Specialist

About the Job

Role Summary:

UNACEM North America is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Specialist for an on-site role at the Scottsdale, AZ office. This position provides specialized technical support for payroll and benefits for our locations. It requires hands-on execution of payroll cycles, union payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance with federal, Arizona, and California employment regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Process biweekly and monthly payroll for union and non-union employees with strict adherence to deadlines.
• Validate hours worked, overtime, premiums, and correct all earnings and deductions.
• Apply collective bargaining agreement terms accurately.
• Maintain payroll records, including taxes, garnishments, benefit deductions, and union contributions.
• Ensure compliance with California employment law.
• Administer employee benefits programs.
• Process benefits changes related to new hires, terminations and life events.
• Support annual Open Enrollment.
• Respond to employee questions regarding pay and benefits.
• Prepare operational payroll and benefits reports.
• Support internal and external audits, including union audits and 401k audits.
• Execute payroll and benefits components of onboarding and offboarding.
• Operate payroll, HRIS, and timekeeping systems as an advanced user.
• Submit payroll tax, ACA, 401k and year-end information.
• Identify process improvements.
• Maintain updated knowledge of federal, Arizona and California regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with union payroll.
• Knowledge of California wage and hour requirements.
• Three or more years of payroll experience.
• Experience administering employee benefits.
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll systems; Paychex preferred.
• Ability to reconcile payroll data accurately.
• Customer service mindset.
• Confidentiality and attention to detail.
• Industrial environment experience preferred.
• CPP certification is a plus.

About the Company

UNACEM North America is part of the international Grupo UNACEM family. Our parent company, Grupo UNACEM, has a rich legacy that stretches back over 100 years, marked by technological innovation and a commitment to building a sustainable world. Headquartered in Lima, Peru, Grupo UNACEM was formed by merging leading cement companies and is now a reference point in the global construction materials industry. We have steadily grown our presence throughout Latin America, and today, our North American division is an integrated business leading the way for sustainable cement manufacturing in the US. In the United States, UNACEM North America operates two major cement plants-Drake Cement in Paulden, Arizona, and Tehachapi Cement in California. These facilities are recognized for their state-of-the-art technology and have established our company as a leader in the Southwest region. The Drake Cement facility was the first of its kind to be built in Arizona in 2008, and full production began in 2011. The Tehachapi cement plant has a rich history dating back to 1906. Our company culture is anchored in the UNA Values-nine guiding principles that are woven through every aspect of our business. At UNACEM, we: Collaborate as one team, fostering an environment built on trust and respect. Take responsibility for our actions, driven by a deep conviction to fulfill our purpose. Own our professional development, cultivating growth in a challenging environment. Live by the highest standards, as outlined in our Code of Ethics and Conduct. Prioritize health and safety, considering life to be our most important asset. Commit to creating economic, environmental, and social value for current and future generations. Strive to exceed expectations through continuous improvement and efficiency. Lead change by encouraging innovation and adaptability. Put the customer at the center of all our actions, working to provide sustainable solutions. As we look ahead, UNACEM North America is dedicated to ambitious sustainability goals. Grupo UNACEM's global roadmap calls for all operations to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We are making large-scale investments to modernize our plants, improve energy efficiency, adopt alternative fuels, and implement carbon capture technology. These efforts align with our broader purpose-to grow together and build a sustainable world for everyone. Joining UNACEM North America means being part of a forward-thinking company-one where each team member plays a pivotal role in building a more sustainable future. If you share our values and passion for innovation, we look forward to learning more about your background and how you could contribute to our mission.