Human Resources - Payroll

Job Description

Join a dynamic team that is rebuilding and is eager to welcome a like‑minded individual looking to grow their skills in payroll and HR. This role involves handling payroll for over 120 employees across multiple states while supporting HR operations and employee queries. The ideal candidate will navigate a hybrid work environment, requiring a proactive and solution‑oriented mindset.

Job Title: HR Payroll Specialist

• Serve as the point of contact for all timesheet‑related inquiries, assisting managers and employees to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
• Monitor timesheets to identify and resolve discrepancies, obtaining necessary approvals to meet payroll deadlines.
• Process biweekly payroll for more than 120 exempt and non‑exempt employees across multiple states with a high level of accuracy.
• Handle regular, off‑cycle, and bonus payrolls, including manual checks for adjustments and final pay for terminations.
• Ensure proper processing of wage garnishments, tax with holdings, and benefit deductions.
• Prepare and maintain payroll reports, including quarterly and year‑end filings.
• Participate in weekly team meetings to review issues, share feedback, and support continuous improvement.
• Oversee wage garnishments, tax configurations, and benefit deductions; coordinate with HRIS and tax agencies to resolve escalated issues and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare, analyze, and interpret payroll and workforce reports to support audits, budgeting, and informed decisions.
• Provide expert guidance on payroll, HRIS, 401(k), and timekeeping policies, interpreting regulations and resolving issues.
• Assist with onboarding and terminations, salary and job description reviews, and benefit administration.
• Answer employee questions about benefits or payroll discrepancies, and assist with ER situations surrounding payroll or benefits.
• Coach managers and employees on issues related to payroll.
• Plan team events and holiday parties.
• Participate in HR and payroll meetings, share insights, and support process improvements and HR initiatives.
• Ensure HRIS data accuracy across employees, payroll, and benefits records and support system enhancements.

• 3‑5+ years of experience in full‑cycle payroll.
• 3‑5+ years of overall HR experience.
• Familiarity with payroll systems, such as Paylocity, is ideal.
• Strong understanding of payroll policies, including final hours, garnishments, taxes, and deductions.
• Experience in multi‑state payroll processing.
• Knowledge of HR processes, such as onboarding, offboarding, benefits, and salary adjustments.
• Experience in benefits administration and HRIS management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP and pivot tables.

• Experience with employee relations issues is a huge plus.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Experience with HRIS implementation is a huge plus.

This position is a hybrid role requiring at least one day onsite, preferably two to three days a week. Initial training will be conducted 100% onsite, which may last from two to six weeks. Standard hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, but flexibility is needed for unexpected employee queries and busy periods, such as month‑end and system implementations. The culture promotes a start‑up mindset, encouraging proactive problem‑solving and innovation.

Professionalism is key, as the role involves interaction with Directors, VPs, and C‑Suite executives. A willingness to learn through on‑the‑job training rather than traditional classroom settings is essential.

Contract to Hire – Brea, CA

The pay range for this position is $33.00 – $38.00 /hr.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Final date to receive applications:
This position is anticipated to close on Jan 5, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world‑class…