Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager plays a key role in overseeing the end-to-end payroll process of the company's North America entities, which includes manufacturing facilities, R&D, global corporate headquarters, and commercial operations. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing and reporting across two countries, multiple pay structures and regulatory environments. The Payroll Manager is responsible for payroll governance, payroll vendor relationships, process optimization, and cross functional alignment with HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Operations, and Commercial organizations. This role will be responsible for setting priorities and performance of daily Payroll functions, while providing day-to-day management and leadership to Payroll team members.

Essential Duties:

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing for U.S. and Canada associates, ensuring accurate and timely processing in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and company policies.
• Process complex and high-visibility transactions, including multi-state adjustments, bonus taxation, retroactive adjustments, and year-end tax reconciliations.
• Ensure recurring assignments are handled on a timely basis while contributing to special cross-functional projects and addressing unique challenges.
• Validate timekeeping records and resolve discrepancies.
• Audit payroll transactions to ensure accuracy and data integrity with our HRIS.
• Analyze complex payroll issues and develop effective solutions to include clear communications with associates and internal teams.
• Manage relationships with payroll vendors and service providers to ensure the payroll systems are efficient, operational, and properly maintained.
• Proactively identify areas for process improvement within payroll operations and implement solutions to automate and streamline processes, making them scalable and efficient while maintaining strong quality controls.
• Set up new state jurisdictions and ensure timely tax filings
• Lead quarterly and year-end payroll activities. Ensure timely filings with government agencies.
• Maintain strong internal controls, documentation, and standard operating procedures to ensure accuracy and data integrity with aligned systems (HRIS, time entry, etc.).
• Assist GL accountant with payroll reconciliations.
• Partner with cross-functional groups within the company (HR, Finance, Tax and People Operations) on global mobility and business activities to ensure payroll alignment
• Maintain audit readiness and support internal/external audits (e.g., DOL, OFCCP) to guarantee data integrity.
• Manage system implementations, integrations, acquisitions, and other payroll projects.
• Maintain complete understanding of all wage and hour laws, including garnishments, benefits, leave of absence, 401K/pension, and tax reporting.
• Prepare and distribute reports, statements, and summaries related to payroll activities.
• Respond to associate payroll inquiries with clarity and professionalism.
• People Management Responsibilities:
• Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit and onboard new team members.
• Overseeing daily workflow of the department.
• Establish performance metrics and conduct timely evaluations.
• Responsible for ensuring a member of the payroll team is on site every day of the week, and final paychecks are issued/mailed for all terminated associates.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or relevant field. Or equivalent of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
• Experience: Minimum 8 years' progressive payroll experience, including at least 4 years managing staff in a multi-state, multi-jurisdictional environment; Canadian payroll preferred
• Experience managing payroll for exempt/non-exempt workforce and managing time clock systems.
• Preferred experience managing payroll for a manufacturing entity with multiple shifts.
• 4+ years of ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.
• Success Factors HRIS experience preferred.
• Bullhorn timekeeping system or similar timekeeping system experience preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel.
• Attention to detail, strong numerical aptitude and ability to meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills for interacting in writing and verbally with associates at all levels.
• Working knowledge of relevant State of Colorado and U.S. Federal labor laws and regulations, required.
• Working knowledge of relevant Canada and other U.S. State labor laws and regulations, preferred.
• Able to prioritize and multitask effectively.
• Must be able to retain/handle confidential information with integrity.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Typical Office Environment requirements include reading, speaking, hearing, close vision, traverse, bending, sitting, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
• Additional Physical Requirements Required to be on-site in the Lakewood, CO headquarters 3 days a week.