Payroll & Benefits Manager

Accountabilities: The Payroll & Benefits Manager will serve as the internal subject-matter expert for payroll and benefits administration, ensuring operational accuracy, regulatory compliance, and a positive employee experience. Own accurate and timely multi-state payroll processing for hourly, shift-based, and salaried employees, including overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and other earnings. Review and audit timecards every pay cycle, resolving missed punches, time-off discrepancies, approval issues, job coding errors, and department allocation inconsistencies. Manage payroll corrections, retroactive payments, final paychecks, and off-cycle or manual payrolls, ensuring all adjustments are properly documented. Establish and maintain payroll and benefits controls, audit procedures, approval workflows, and operational documentation. Monitor payroll and benefits requirements as the workforce expands into new states, coordinating registrations, tax withholding, unemployment, paid leave, and other applicable obligations. Coordinate payroll and benefits administration for Canadian employees through the EOR partner, including employee changes, statutory deductions, and benefit arrangements. Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement benefits, including the operational management of annual open enrollment. Partner with People Operations on benefit renewals, compliance, employee communications, engagement, and improvements to benefit programs. Manage relationships with payroll, benefits, retirement, leave, EOR, and other external providers, acting as the primary operational contact and escalation point. Coordinate the payroll and benefits aspects of employee leaves, including deductions, premium payments, and coverage changes. Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other court-ordered deductions with accuracy and confidentiality. Manage payroll tax notices and agency correspondence, researching issues and tracking outstanding matters through resolution. Respond to employee and manager questions, resolving payroll discrepancies, underpayments, overpayments, deduction issues, and repayment arrangements. Develop employee guidance and training materials to improve understanding of payroll and benefits processes. Reconcile payroll and benefits accounts, support payroll tax filings, and lead year-end reporting activities, including W-2s and 1095-Cs. Develop payroll and benefits reports for HR, Finance, and leadership, covering payroll trends, benefit costs, participation, labor allocations, and reconciliations. Manage payroll-related HRIS configurations, records, coding structures, and workflows, identifying opportunities for automation and stronger controls. Handle all payroll, benefits, and compensation information with discretion and strict confidentiality. Requirements The ideal candidate combines substantial payroll and benefits administration experience with strong knowledge of multi-state compliance, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across a multi-shift workforce. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered. At least 5 years of progressive experience in payroll and benefits administration, including multi-state, biweekly payroll for a workforce comprising both hourly and salaried employees. Experience in manufacturing or industrial operations is strongly preferred. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is preferred. Proficiency with Rippling or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform. Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience using multi-state payroll tax compliance tools. Working knowledge of Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) requirements, wage withholding and garnishment administration, EOR and international payroll models, and multi-state wage and hour compliance. Strong analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving abilities, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy under tight deadlines. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain payroll and benefits matters clearly and tactfully to employees, shift supervisors, and leadership. Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple concurrent deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-shift environment. Ability to learn new payroll and HRIS systems quickly and adapt to process improvements. Sound judgment and a high level of discretion when handling confidential employee and compensation information. Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Employment visa sponsorship is not available. Benefits Annual base salary ranging from $105,000 to $135,000, with potential regional adjustments based on geographic cost of living. Eligibility for a discretionary bonus recognizing outstanding individual and team contributions. Multiple medical, dental, and vision insurance options. 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching. Generous paid time off and paid holidays, including two floating holidays. Disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options, with employer contributions. Tuition reimbursement to support professional development and continued education. Casual dress code. Location flexibility, with remote employees expected to travel to an office approximately once per quarter. Opportunities for career growth and progression based on performance, certifications, and supervisor discretion.