Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Our Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of company payroll and employee benefit programs. This position serves as a key member of the Human Resources team and a primary resource for employees regarding payroll, benefits, deductions, enrollment, and related questions.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, adept to working in a fast-paced environment, and comfortable managing time-sensitive processes with a high degree of accuracy. This individual will work closely with our drivers, associates, managers, and external vendors to ensure payroll and benefits programs are administered efficiently and in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.

Payroll Administration

• Process payroll accurately and timely in accordance with established payroll schedules.
• Review employee time, earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, reimbursements, garnishments, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, deductions, direct deposit changes, and other employee payroll updates.
• Audit payroll prior to submission to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Research and resolve employee payroll questions and discrepancies promptly and professionally.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Assist with payroll reporting, reconciliations, year-end processing, W-2 administration, and other payroll-related requirements.
• Coordinate with internal business units, finance, managers, and payroll vendors to ensure accurate employee and payroll information.
• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and payroll requirements.

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Process benefit enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, and terminations accurately and within required timelines.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefit eligibility, coverage, deductions, and enrollment.
• Assist employees with navigating benefit programs and resolving coverage or enrollment issues.
• Coordinate with benefit carriers, brokers, and other vendors to research and resolve employee issues.
• Support annual Open Enrollment, including employee communications, enrollment administration, system updates, and auditing elections.
• Reconcile benefit deductions and carrier invoices and identify discrepancies requiring correction.
• Assist with COBRA administration and other benefit continuation requirements.
• Support administration of the company's retirement plan, including employee elections, deductions, and coordination with plan providers.
• Maintain accurate benefit records and documentation.
• Administration of personal & FMLA leaves in accordance with company, state, and federal guidelines

HRIS, Compliance & Employee Support

• Maintain accurate employee payroll and benefits information within the HRIS/payroll system (Paycom, McLeod)
• Perform routine audits to ensure data integrity across HR, payroll, and benefit systems.
• Maintain confidential employee information in accordance with company policies and applicable requirements.
• Assist with responding to employment verification, wage, benefit, and payroll-related requests as appropriate.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll and benefits reports for internal stakeholders and company leadership.
• Assist with payroll and benefits audits and compliance activities.
• Provide responsive, professional service to employees while handling sensitive matters with discretion.

Support additional Human Resources projects and responsibilities as assigned

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 24 years of experience in payroll, benefits administration, Human Resources, or a related function preferred.
• Hands-on payroll processing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience administering employee benefit programs and working with benefit carriers/vendors preferred.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems required; Paycom experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices, benefit administration, wage and hour requirements, and confidentiality standards.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to work comfortably with reports and employee data.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to meet firm payroll and enrollment deadlines.
• Ability to research discrepancies, identify root causes, and follow issues through resolution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee information.

Key Competencies

Accuracy and attention to detail; accountability and follow-through; confidentiality and discretion; employee service; organization and prioritization; problem-solving; sense of urgency; communication; collaboration; and the ability to work independently within established processes and deadlines