Job Description

Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Hybrid | Charlotte-area | Manufacturing & Retail Environment

We’re partnering with a well‑established, employee‑first organization to identify a Payroll & Benefits Administrator who will take ownership of a complex, multi‑state payroll and support benefits administration for a growing workforce of approximately 1,000 employees .

This is a key, visible role within a collaborative and steadily expanding HR team. The company is known for exceptional employee tenure, strong leadership support, and well‑documented processes — making it an ideal environment for someone who enjoys ownership, structure, and problem‑solving.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Employee‑centric culture with long average tenure
• Supportive C‑suite and HR leadership that values payroll and compliance
• Growing HR team (recently expanded significantly to support the business)
• Established SOPs with room to improve and evolve processes
• Down‑to‑earth leadership style — collaborative, approachable, and transparent
• Stable organization operating in both manufacturing and retail environments

Position Summary

The Payroll & Benefits Administrator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of biweekly, multi‑state payroll with particular emphasis on California compliance . This role also supports the administration of benefits and retirement plans while serving as a trusted resource for employees across multiple locations.

This position acts as the lead payroll professional , partnering closely with HR leadership, HRIS, and the broader HR team.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process full‑cycle, multi‑state payroll (biweekly) for ~1,000 employees using ADP Workforce Now
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, including complex California wage & hour regulations
• Manage payroll changes including new hires, terminations, garnishments, bonuses, and adjustments
• Maintain accurate payroll records, deductions, and earnings data
• Respond to and resolve payroll inquiries in a timely, service‑oriented manner
• Support multiple organizational schedules in a 24/7 operating environment

Tax & Compliance

• Administer payroll tax processes including withholding, reporting, and remittance across 12 states
• Prepare and review quarterly and annual filings (941s, state filings, W‑2s)
• Establish new tax IDs as required
• Ensure compliance with FLSA and state‑specific requirements
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll and benefits

Benefits Administration

• Provide backend administrative support for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and leave programs
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and terminations
• Respond to general benefits questions from employees in partnership with HR

401(k) & Retirement Plans

• Administer the company’s 401(k) plan, including enrollments, contributions, loans, and distributions
• Coordinate timely remittance of employee and employer contributions
• Partner with providers on audits and nondiscrimination testing
• Ensure ongoing ERISA compliance

Reporting & Reconciliation

• Perform payroll, benefits, and 401(k) reconciliations
• Generate payroll and benefits reports for HR and Finance leadership
• Identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions
• Support budgeting and forecasting with payroll‑related data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5+ years of payroll experience in a multi‑state environment
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws and compliance, especially California
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, reconciliations)
• High attention to detail, discretion, and confidentiality
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer‑service skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Experience supporting payroll for 500+ employees
• Exposure to HRIS and benefits administration platforms
• Manufacturing payroll experience

Work Environment

• Collaborative HR team
• High employee interaction and cross‑functional partnership
• Team‑oriented culture where payroll partners with HR on engagement initiatives

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