Sr. Payroll Specialist

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with about 12,000 employees in 32 countries, focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives and consumer protection products. The position is based in Shelton and is a regular, full‑time role.

About the role

This role serves as the primary owner for payroll accounting, Vanguard/401k and retirement plan payroll activities, payroll tax and statutory compliance for U.S. and/or Canada operations, and supports year‑end, quarter‑end, audit, and process‑improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Primary owner for payroll accounting and reconciliation activities, including payroll liability reconciliations, union dues, initiation fees, union arrears, gross‑to‑net review, journal entry support, general ledger file review, payroll funding support, cash activity review, check request/wire transfer support, month‑end/quarter‑end/year‑end close support, and investigation/resolution of reconciliation differences.
• Primary owner for Vanguard/401k and retirement plan payroll activity, including processing, funding, reconciliation, issue resolution, employee deductions, employer contributions, loan repayments, corrections, limits, reporting, vendor coordination, Benefits/Finance coordination, annual retirement plan support, audit requests, and process documentation.
• Support payroll tax and statutory compliance activities for U.S. and/or Canada payroll operations, including tax code setup, tax IDs, SUI/SDI rates, provincial/local requirements, payroll tax configurations, quarter‑end and year‑end payroll tax review, W‑2, W‑2PR, 1099, 941, 940, state unemployment, T4 preparation/review, taxable benefit review, statutory deduction review, and related reporting/reconciliation as assigned.
• Support and/or coordinate assigned year‑end, quarter‑end, annual reporting, and audit activities. Review and validate employee tax form data, QTD analysis, Q4/year‑end packages, vendor reports, audit requests, documentation, and correction processes. Help ensure U.S. and/or Canada year‑end deadlines are met.
• Maintain payroll processing knowledge and provide backup payroll processing support as needed. Remain cross‑trained on payroll procedures, pay groups, payroll calendars, payroll audits, exception resolution, off‑cycle processing, and corrections. Support payroll processing during absences, leaves, turnover, peak periods, urgent deadlines, or business continuity events, and as needed.
• Support systems, controls, documentation, cross‑training, and process improvement. Validate data interfaces, troubleshoot system issues, identify control gaps, recommend improvements, maintain documentation/checklists, cross‑train payroll team members, and serve as a technical resource for payroll accounting, Vanguard/401k, tax, year‑end, audit, compliance, U.S. payroll, and/or Canada payroll processes.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field preferred; equivalent payroll experience may be considered.
• CPP, FPC, PCP, or equivalent payroll certification preferred; advanced certification strongly preferred for technical scope.
• 5‑10 years of advanced payroll experience required, preferably in a large, multi‑state, multi‑entity, union, and/or North America payroll environment.
• Experience with payroll accounting, payroll tax, retirement plan/401k reconciliation, year‑end processing, audit support, and payroll reporting strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting, payroll liabilities, gross‑to‑net reconciliation, journal entries, and general ledger support.
• Ability to provide backup payroll processing support when needed.
• Experience with U.S. and/or Canada year‑end payroll processing and statutory reporting, including W‑2, 941, 940, state unemployment, T4, and related reconciliations as applicable.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex payroll, tax, accounting, system, or vendor issues and to identify control gaps and recommend process improvements.
• Experience with union payroll accounting, collective bargaining agreement requirements, union deductions, union arrears, retroactive adjustments, and related payroll liability reconciliations preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages, inclusive of a global bonus program.
• Comprehensive benefits supporting financial security, health and wellbeing, including retirement plans, health programs, life insurance, and medical care.
• Work‑life balance through flexible working arrangements via the global “Xwork” program.
• Training and development opportunities with formal and informal learning.

Pay

The established pay range for this position is $74,500 to $99,300. Actual compensation may vary based on geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level.