Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator

The Payroll Administrator is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for hourly and shift-based employees in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role ensures payroll is completed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, company policies, and any applicable union agreements. The Payroll Administrator partners closely with Human Resources, Operations, and Finance to maintain payroll accuracy, resolve payroll-related issues, support reporting needs, and ensure audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process weekly and/or biweekly payroll for plant employees, including hourly wages, shift differentials, overtime, bonuses, and other payroll adjustments.
• Review and validate timekeeping data in ADP Workforce Now or related systems to ensure hours are complete, accurate, and approved prior to payroll processing.
• Enter, audit, and reconcile payroll items such as shift premiums, safety bonuses, production incentives, deductions, and retroactive adjustments.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with company recordkeeping requirements, internal controls, and applicable wage and hour laws.
• Partner with HR and site supervisors to ensure employee status changes, new hires, terminations, transfers, pay changes, and schedule updates are processed accurately.
• Research, reconcile, and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax, wage, overtime, and labor requirements.
• Assist with quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation, tax document review, and payroll reporting.
• Prepare payroll documentation and reports to support internal reviews, external audits, and regulatory requests.
• Respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding timekeeping, paychecks, deductions, tax withholding, direct deposits, and other payroll matters.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of payroll, employee, and company information.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 2–3 years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a manufacturing, distribution, or other high-volume hourly workforce environment.
• Experience processing payroll across multiple pay frequencies, such as weekly, and biweekly payrolls.
• Experience processing hourly payroll, including overtime, shift differentials, premiums, bonuses, incentives, deductions, and payroll adjustments.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform and related payroll integrations.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll and applying state-specific payroll requirements preferred.
• Working knowledge of overtime calculations and regular-rate-of-pay calculations.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of payroll processes and applicable wage and hour requirements, including FLSA, overtime, shift differentials, and pay practices for hourly employees.
• Knowledge of state and local payroll tax requirements, wage regulations, and payroll compliance practices.
• Excellent accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through in a deadline-driven payroll environment.
• Proficiency with timekeeping systems, payroll/HRIS platforms, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review payroll data, identify discrepancies, and recommend appropriate resolutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Effective communication and customer-service skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with employees, supervisors, HR, Operations, and Finance.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential payroll and employee information.