Payroll Analyst

The Payroll Analyst is responsible for accurate, timely, and compliant end-to-end payroll processing for employees and contract employees. This role serves as a payroll subject matter expert, overseeing payroll systems, compliance, reporting, audits, reconciliations, integrations, and process improvement. The position partners with HR, Finance, IT/HRIS, employees, managers, vendors, and external agencies to resolve complex payroll issues and improve payroll operations.

Responsibilities

Lead full-cycle payroll processing, including wages, overtime, shift differentials, premiums, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, deductions, taxes, and other adjustments.; Validate timekeeping and payroll data, including complex pay structures, overlapping schedules, and historical adjustments.; Process piece-rate payroll, ensuring accurate calculation and payment based on production-based compensation.; Manage multi-state and, where applicable, global payroll requirements.; Ensure compliance with FLSA, IRS, Department of Labor, federal, state, local, and applicable international payroll regulations.; Manage payroll tax filings, deposits, quarter-end and year-end activities, W-2s, and required reporting.; Conduct payroll audits, variance analyses, and data validation to identify and resolve discrepancies.; Reconcile payroll accounts, labor allocations, accruals, deductions, and general ledger transactions in partnership with Finance.; Prepare and analyze pre- and post-payroll reports to ensure accuracy and data integrity.; Support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and investigations.; Develop payroll metrics, dashboards, and reports to monitor accuracy, compliance, service levels, and operational performance.; Administer and optimize payroll systems, including Paylocity, Workday, ADP Workforce Now, UKG, SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms.; Partner with HRIS/IT to configure, test, maintain, and enhance payroll systems and integrations.; Support payroll implementations, migrations, upgrades, testing, integrations, and organizational changes.; Manage pay group realignments and payroll adjustments related to mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, or other business changes.; Use intermediate/advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, reporting, and data analysis.; Identify payroll process inefficiencies and implement automation, system enhancements, controls, and streamlined workflows.; Perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve accuracy and efficiency.; Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, process documentation, and audit controls.; Lead or participate in payroll, HR compliance, analytics, system, and continuous improvement projects.; Coordinate cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure successful project delivery.; Partner with HR, Finance, IT/HRIS, vendors, and business stakeholders to maintain payroll integrity and resolve complex issues.; Support onboarding, offboarding, and final-pay requirements.; Communicate payroll policies, tax matters, wage calculations, and compliance requirements clearly to employees and managers.; Provide training and guidance as needed.; Maintain strict confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information.; Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% to various company locations.; Lead end-to-end payroll processing for all employee groups, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.; Compile, validate, and process payroll data, including hourly, salaried, piece rate, temporary, bonus, commission, and off-cycle payments.; Review and reconcile timekeeping data; investigate and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll submission.; Maintain, audit, and reconcile payroll records related to wages, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and benefits.; Administer payroll processes for temporary employees, including system uploads, agency reporting, and billing support.; Manage payroll-related compliance activities, including garnishments, tax filings, statutory reporting, and record retention.; Prepare payroll documentation and reports to support internal controls, audits, and financial reviews.; Partner with Accounting to provide accurate payroll data, general ledger coding, reconciliations, and year-end reporting (including W-2s).; Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, providing timely resolution and clear guidance.; Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Accounting, HRIS partners, and vendors to ensure data accuracy and process alignment.; Identify, recommend, and implement continuous improvements to payroll systems, workflows, and reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field required; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.; 3–5 years of progressive, full-cycle payroll experience.; Strong knowledge of payroll taxes and reporting, FLSA wage and hour laws, garnishments, deductions, and payroll compliance.; Experience with payroll reporting, general ledger, audits, reconciliations, variance analysis, tax reporting, W-2s, and year-end processing.; Experience with payroll/HRIS systems and system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or migrations.; Intermediate/Advanced Microsoft Excel and payroll data analysis skills.; Experience working with cross-functional teams and external payroll vendors.; Experience with process automation and optimization; data integrity and validation; root-cause analysis and problem resolution.; Strong organizational and prioritization skills.; Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive data.

Nice to have

Multi-state payroll experience preferred; global payroll experience is a plus.; CPP certification preferred; additional payroll, HRIS, accounting, or compliance certifications are a plus.; Piece rate payroll processing experience in a manufacturing environment; Hands-on experience with Paylocity or similar payroll platforms; Experience supporting payroll for temporary or contingent workforces; Bilingual language skills

Benefits

Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus potential; 4 weeks of PTO; Health, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match and planning resources; Collaborative, team-based culture that fuels innovation; Paid time off, holidays, and employee recognition programs celebrating your achievements; Community engagement and STEM outreach opportunities to give back locally