Payroll Supervisor

Payroll Supervisor

The Payroll Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a large, high-volume maritime workforce. This position supervises payroll staff, reviews payroll and timekeeping activity, resolves complex payroll issues, and ensures payroll processes are consistently followed across the organization.

The Payroll Supervisor works closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Production, Project Management, and other operational leaders to ensure accurate employee pay, timekeeping, deductions, and payroll records. The position requires strong knowledge of payroll practices, time and attendance processes, wage and hour requirements, and the unique payroll demands associated with shipbuilding and maritime operations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of payroll staff, providing direction, training, and support to ensure accurate and timely completion of payroll responsibilities.

Oversee weekly and bi-weekly payroll processing for a large, high-volume workforce, including hourly, salaried, and other payroll-related earnings.

Monitor payroll processing activities to identify discrepancies, errors, and unusual transactions prior to payroll finalization.

Review payroll registers and reports to accuracy and completeness and escalate significant discrepancies to the Payroll Manager.

Assist with the resolution of complex payroll and timekeeping issues, including employee pay discrepancies, missing time, incorrect deductions, and payroll adjustments.

Coordinate with Production, Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Project Management, and site leadership regarding payroll and timekeeping matters.

Ensure payroll transactions are processed in accordance with company policies, applicable federal and state regulations, and established payroll procedures.

Assist with monitoring compliance related to wage and hour requirements, overtime, prevailing wage requirements, union agreements, and other applicable labor requirements.

Review employee changes affecting payroll, including new hires, transfers, promotions, pay rate changes, leaves of absence, and terminations.

Oversee payroll deductions and assist with reconciliation of benefits, garnishments, 401(k), taxes, and other payroll-related deductions.

Review and approve manual checks, off-cycle payments, payroll adjustments, and other special payroll transactions as needed.

Assist the Payroll Manager with payroll reconciliations, audits, month-end activities, year-end reporting, and other payroll-related reporting requirements.

Monitor payroll deadlines and establish priorities to ensure payroll is completed accurately and on schedule.

Identify opportunities to improve payroll and timekeeping processes, controls, reporting, and system efficiencies.

Assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and process improvement initiatives.

Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records and ensure sensitive employee information is appropriately protected.

Provide guidance and technical support to Payroll Administrators, Payroll Clerks, and other payroll team members.

Assist with developing and maintaining payroll procedures, work instructions, and internal controls.

Prepare and analyze payroll reports and provide information to the Payroll Manager and other leadership as requested.

Serve as a subject matter source for payroll and timekeeping questions and assist in communication payroll processes and requirements to employees and management.

Required education and experience:

Education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Human Resources preferred.

Experience: Minimum 5 years of dedicated experience managing multi-state payroll, ideally within heavy construction, manufacturing, or maritime industries.

Prior supervisory or team-lead experience required.

Strong knowledge of payroll processing, time and attendance, overtime, deductions, and payroll practices.

Experience with enterprise payroll, ERP, HRIS, and/or timekeeping systems.

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.

Working environment:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites.

Mobility to climb up and down stairs all day, as needed.

Ability to work according to the assigned schedule and meet payroll deadlines, including occasional extended hours or weekends as business needs require.

Strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, including the ability to work at a computer for extended periods.

Hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person and over the phone.

Necessary equipment operation:

1. Office equipment, including telephone, copiers, scanner, computers, ten-key.

Special skills:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Strong leadership and team-building skills.

High level of integrity, confidentiality, and discretion when handling sensitive payroll and employee information.

Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet strict payroll deadlines.

Ability to identify problems, investigate discrepancies, and develop effective solutions.

Ability to function effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Strong customer-service mindset when working with employees, managers, and cross-functional departments.

Ability to train, coach, and develop payroll team members.

Commitment to company values and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy while managing confidential information and competing priorities.