Summary: The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for managing all aspects of payroll processing, benefits administration, and related compliance activities for a multi-state workforce. This role ensures employees are paid accurately and on time, while also serving as a key resource for benefits enrollment, leave administration, and employee support. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist works closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to reconcile data, resolve discrepancies, and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, customer-focused, and proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly payroll for multi-state locations, supporting 1,000+ employees.
• Serve as a primary contact for employees regarding payroll, benefits, and related matters.
• Handle manual and off-cycle payrolls/checks as needed.
• Perform pre-payroll activities, including monitoring timecard approvals, resolving issues, and preparing batches for processing.
• Enter payroll items such as deductions (e.g., apparel/shoe purchases), bonuses, special earnings, and other adjustments.
• Verify and reconcile all payrolls, reviewing reports for accuracy in hours, earnings, and deductions, and identifying anomalies.
• Maintain and track withholding orders, including garnishments, child support, and tax levies.
• Communicate benefits information to employees, providing support with enrollments, changes, and terminations.
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and verify carrier feeds from the HR system.
• Assist with open enrollment, including setup, rollout, employee communications, and completion.
• Administer FMLA leave: manage employee requests, process paperwork, track benefits payments, and coordinate return-to-work.
• Support disability claims processing and monitor against time-off records.
• Manage Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), including enrollment, terminations, contributions, and vendor/bank communications.
• Process contributions to HSA and 401(k) plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCY AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Associates degree or minimum of 3 years’ experience with Payroll & Benefits.
• Payroll experience in a manufacturing or multi-state environment highly preferred.
• ADP Workforce Now experience strongly desired.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to reconcile complex payroll and benefits data.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills; able to effectively support employees and partner with vendors.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis preferred).

• Process bi-weekly payroll for multi-state locations, supporting 1,000+ employees.
• Serve as a primary contact for employees regarding payroll, benefits, and related matters.
• Handle manual and off-cycle payrolls/checks as needed.
• Perform pre-payroll activities, including monitoring timecard approvals, resolving issues, and preparing batches for processing.
• Enter payroll items such as deductions (e.g., apparel/shoe purchases), bonuses, special earnings, and other adjustments.
• Verify and reconcile all payrolls, reviewing reports for accuracy in hours, earnings, and deductions, and identifying anomalies.
• Maintain and track withholding orders, including garnishments, child support, and tax levies.
• Communicate benefits information to employees, providing support with enrollments, changes, and terminations.
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and verify carrier feeds from the HR system.
• Assist with open enrollment, including setup, rollout, employee communications, and completion.
• Administer FMLA leave: manage employee requests, process paperwork, track benefits payments, and coordinate return-to-work.
• Support disability claims processing and monitor against time-off records.
• Manage Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), including enrollment, terminations, contributions, and vendor/bank communications.
• Process contributions to HSA and 401(k) plans.
• Other duties as assigned