Payroll Manager

The Payroll Manager oversees payroll operations for approximately 1,700 employees across 22 states and multiple legal entities within a family of companies in the Pipe, Valves & Fittings (PVF) industry. The workforce includes a significant hourly industrial population. Reporting to the Corporate HR Manager, this position works closely with HR, Accounting, and Operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing the payroll team, overseeing daily payroll operations, resolving complex payroll matters, and maintaining effective payroll controls and procedures. The Payroll Manager serves as the primary payroll subject matter expert and supports ongoing improvements in payroll processes, reporting, and system functionality.

Success in this position requires sound judgment, professional maturity, strong leadership, attention to detail, and demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-state payroll operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, providing direction, training, and oversight of daily operations.
• Oversee accurate and timely multi-state payroll, including payroll requests, payroll changes, payroll checks and approvals.
• Review payroll data and conduct weekly audits to identify discrepancies, coordinate corrections, and ensure timely resolution.
• Oversee payroll tax administration and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including year-end reporting and W-2 reconciliation.
• Manage payroll accounting activities, including general ledger coding, expense allocations, reconciliations, and coordination with Accounting on payroll-to-GL reporting and ERP integrations.
• Oversee the preparation and accuracy of recurring management reports.
• Strengthen payroll controls, documentation and procedures.
• Support annual payroll-related audits, including workers’ compensation, 401(k), and other required reconciliations and reporting.
• Oversee payroll system administration, including user access, permissions, system audits, and coordination of payroll-related system updates.
• Serve as the payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance to HR, Accounting, Operations, employees, and managers on payroll policies, procedures, and complex payroll matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, controls, and automation while maintaining appropriate documentation and cross-training.
• Support payroll-related system conversions, integrations, and process changes as the organization grows.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including high-volume payroll processing, multi-state payroll administration, and compliance.
• Experience managing payroll operations and direct reports, with a thorough understanding of payroll practices, controls, deductions, final pay, and employee recordkeeping.
• Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage deadlines, investigate discrepancies, and resolve payroll issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a service-oriented approach and the ability to work collaboratively with employees, managers, and other departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and timekeeping applications.
• Experience preparing payroll reports, reconciling payroll data, and supporting payroll-related audits.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Experience training employees and managers on payroll and timekeeping processes
• Ability to work onsite Monday through Friday.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Certification (CPP)
• 5+ years of payroll management experience.
• Experience with comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, including payroll software conversions and integrations.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.