Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for employees across multiple locations while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role partners closely with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, and Operations to maintain payroll integrity, resolve employee inquiries, and support continuous process improvements. The ideal candidate has experience using Workday Payroll and Workday HCM and thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Payroll Processing

• Process weekly payroll accurately and on time.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, including hours worked, earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, and reimbursements.
• Validate payroll changes including new hires, promotions, transfers, terminations, and pay adjustments.
• Process off-cycle payrolls as needed.

Workday Administration

• Utilize Workday Payroll and Workday HCM to process payroll transactions.
• Audit employee data entered into Workday to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Troubleshoot payroll discrepancies within Workday.
• Maintain payroll-related business processes and workflows.
• Support Workday testing during system updates and enhancements.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Maintain payroll tax compliance.
• Process wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other involuntary deductions.
• Prepare payroll reports and assist with year-end processing, including W-2s.

Auditing & Reporting

• Perform payroll audits before final processing.
• Reconcile payroll reports and general ledger accounts.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Generate payroll metrics and reports for leadership.

Employee Support

• Respond to employee payroll questions professionally and promptly.
• Assist employees with direct deposit, tax withholding, earnings statements, and payroll corrections.
• Educate employees on payroll policies and procedures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and Operations to ensure accurate employee data.
• Support audits conducted by internal and external auditors.
• Participate in payroll process improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 3+ years of payroll processing experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of Workday Payroll experience.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Experience with payroll taxes and garnishments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Experience with timekeeping systems (Workday Time Tracking, UKG, Kronos, or similar).
• Experience with payroll accounting reconciliations.
• Food distribution, manufacturing, or logistics industry experience.

Key Competencies

• Workday Payroll
• Payroll Processing
• Payroll Compliance
• Multi-State Payroll
• Payroll Tax Administration
• Garnishments
• Payroll Auditing
• Data Accuracy
• HRIS Administration
• Microsoft Excel
• Problem Solving
• Customer Service
• Confidentiality