The Payroll and Tax Specialist is a critical role responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, ensuring complete compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations for our growing organization. As a member of the payroll team, this role will co-support a dynamic population of approximately 1,200 employees (and growing!) across multiple Centers of Excellence (COEs) and geographic locations.

Payroll Operations

o Process Payroll: Execute the end-to-end processing and reconciliation of multi-frequency payrolls (e.g., bi-weekly, weekly) for employees, ensuring all hours, wages, deductions, reimbursements, and withholdings are entered and calculated correctly.

o Data Integrity: Verify all payroll-related data, including new hires, terminations, rate changes, transfers, and benefits deductions across various COEs. Partner with Finance to ensure accurate General Ledger mapping.

o Garnishments and Deductions: Accurately process and remit involuntary and voluntary deductions, including child support, tax levies, and retirement contributions.

o Timesheets: Work with COE local HR to ensure timely and accurate reporting of hours worked within the timekeeping system in order to effectively process payroll.

o External Benefit Processing: Complete 401k & HSA reconciliation and ensure timely submission following each processed payroll.

Tax Compliance and Reporting

o Multi-Jurisdictional Tax Management: Ensure complete compliance with all payroll tax laws, including federal, multi-state, and local withholding, unemployment, and employer tax obligations for all COEs.

o Tax Filings and Remittance: Manage timely and accurate preparation and submission of all required tax filings and remittances for all entities and jurisdictions.

o Tax Registration: Partner with Paylocity for new tax registrations and closing of tax accounts that are no longer needed

o Quarterly Tax Reconciliation: Review and reconcile quarterly 941s for all COEs.

o Year-End Reporting: Coordinate and execute year-end payroll activities, including balancing, reconciliation, and accurate production and distribution of W-2s and 1099s.

Systems and Collaboration

o System Management: Co-manage the payroll and tax modules within the HRIS, including configuration, testing of system updates, and troubleshooting.

o Process Improvement: Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to payroll processes and system workflows to enhance efficiency and minimize risk and manual intervention, particularly in support of the scaling organization.

o Customer Service: Serve as a subject matter expert, resolving complex payroll, tax, and system queries from employees and HR partners across all Centers of Excellence in a timely and professional manner.

Audit Support: Prepare detailed reports and documentation to support internal, external, and government audits (e.g., 401(k) audits, workers’ compensation audits).

Attributes:

· Safety Focus: Prioritize safety in all actions. Actively follow safety protocols, identify potential hazards, and take immediate steps to correct or report unsafe conditions. Model safe behavior for others and contribute to a culture of workplace safety.

· Have Humanity: Respect the input and ideas of everyone to create the best possible outcome.

· Be Transparent: Value transparency in all interactions, ensuring honesty and openness with each stakeholder.

· Drive Innovation: Seek new ways to improve and take on new challenges.

· Be Resilient: Adapt to the ever-evolving business needs enabled by resourcefulness and agility.

· Always Reliable: Deliver on your commitments and achieve your goals. Show up to work on time and complete your assigned tasks.

· Grit: Learn new things, actively seek feedback and training.

· Ownership Mindset: Take full responsibility for the quality and efficiency of your work. Proactively identify issues, offer solutions, and follow through. Treat company resources and goals as your own.

Required Knowledge/Experience:

· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent experience.

· Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is a significant plus.

· 3 - 5 years of progressive experience in high-volume payroll processing, specifically supporting employee populations of 1000 or more.

· Demonstrated expertise in multi-state and local payroll tax administration, including registration and nexus requirements.

· Proficient experience with a major HRIS system is required (e.g., Workday, Oracle, SAP, UltiPro/UKG). Paylocity experience strongly preferred.

· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) for data analysis and reconciliation.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex tax and payroll concepts to employees and management.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

· FLSA executive and professional positions paid on a salary basis, where project requirements and tight client deadlines may require workweeks over forty (40) hours (including weekends or holidays)

· This role will work in an office setting, however, frequent visits to the production floor are required to oversee operations, ensure compliance and safety standards, and engage staff.

o Mobility: Ability to move around the manufacturing plant, including walking, standing, and climbing stairs.

o Manual Dexterity: Occasional use of hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.

o Lifting: Ability to lift and carry items up to twenty-five (25) pounds. All lifting should be done following OSHA standards.

Visual and Auditory Requirements: Must be able to see and hear well enough to navigate the plant safely and communicate effectively with team members.

Additional Information:

· This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties may be adjusted to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

· This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and does not change the at-will nature of the employment relationship.

· We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including a background check and pre-employment drug screening, in accordance with applicable law.