HR Specialist (Greater Madison, WI Area)

HR SpecialistCarex is partnering with a Manufacturing industry partner to hire an HR Specialist responsible for delivering comprehensive human resources administration across the employee lifecycle for a multi-state workforce of hourly manufacturing and salaried employees. This salaried, exempt position plays a critical role in managing onboarding, employee changes, terminations, HRIS data integrity, and payroll support while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.Approximately 25% of this role focuses on payroll administration, including wage garnishments, pay increase approvals, payroll reporting, and manual check processing. The ideal candidate brings strong HR administration experience, working payroll knowledge, exceptional attention to detail, and a service-oriented mindset.This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with four days onsite and one day remote per week and the opportunity to collaborate closely with HR leadership, Payroll, Finance, Benefits, and Operations teams to drive continuous improvement and support a positive employee experience.What You'll DoEmployee Lifecycle & HR AdministrationPrepare and issue offer letters in collaboration with hiring managers and HR leadership, ensuring accuracy of compensation, job titles, and start dates.Coordinate new hire onboarding, including pre-employment requirements, documentation, I-9 and E-Verify completion, HRIS setup, and orientation scheduling.Prepare, review, and process Personnel Action Forms (PAFs) for new hires, compensation adjustments, promotions, transfers, leaves, and employment status changes.Manage employee separations, including termination documentation, final pay coordination, benefits notifications, equipment returns, and exit processing.Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential employee records and HRIS data in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational policies.Payroll Administration & SupportMaintain payroll spreadsheets and ensure employee changes, new hires, terminations, and compensation adjustments are accurately reflected each pay period.Coordinate payroll approvals for pay increases, verifying proper authorization and effective dates.Administer child support orders and wage garnishments, including setup, remittance, tracking, and communication with agencies and employees.Prepare and distribute payroll reports to HR, Finance, and Operations leadership.Prepare and distribute manual payroll checks while maintaining accurate documentation and appropriate internal controls.Support payroll processing cycles, audits, reconciliations, and year-end activities.Compliance, Collaboration & Employee SupportSupport compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, wage and hour regulations, and organizational policies.Partner with HR, Payroll, Finance, Benefits, and Operations to ensure accurate employee information and efficient HR administration.Serve as a trusted resource for employees and leaders, responding to HR and payroll inquiries with professionalism, accuracy, and responsiveness.Support internal and external audits through accurate recordkeeping, documentation, and reporting.Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives that support operational excellence and organizational objectives.Systems & Continuous ImprovementUtilize HRIS and payroll systems to maintain data integrity, process employee transactions, and generate accurate reports.Identify opportunities to streamline HR and payroll processes, strengthen internal controls, and improve administrative efficiency.Support automation initiatives and implement best practices to enhance accuracy and consistency.Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures for HR administration and payroll support activities.What You'll BringBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or 4+ years of human resources experience in a generalist or specialist capacity.Experience supporting HR administration across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, personnel changes, employee records, and terminations.Working knowledge of payroll administration, with experience in wage garnishments and multi-state payroll preferred.Familiarity with federal, state, and local employment regulations, including I-9 requirements, E-Verify, and wage and hour compliance.Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems, with a strong focus on data accuracy and confidentiality.Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, including maintaining spreadsheets, organizing employee information, and preparing reports.Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to support employees and leaders across multiple departments.Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships across HR, Finance, Payroll, and Operations.A customer-focused approach with a commitment to professionalism, discretion, and service excellence.A proactive, continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify process inefficiencies, strengthen controls, and improve HR administration practices.Carex Consulting Group is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.