Payroll Operations Manager

Payroll Operations Manager As the Payroll Operations Manager, you will own U.S. payroll operations for a multi-state manufacturing workforce: accurate and compliant processing, payroll tax, timekeeping, vendor management, internal controls, and audit readiness. You will serve as the company’s subject matter expert on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos Workforce Management, and drives efficiency through automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports.

Works independently with guidance in only the most complex or precedent-setting matters.#

Roles & Responsibilities
* Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant U.S. payroll across multiple states.
* Own the payroll calendar end to end — deadlines, approvals, funding, quarter-end and year-end close, tax reconciliations, and W-2 issuance.
* Own configuration, administration, and integration of Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos, maintaining data integrity across time, earnings, deductions, taxes, and garnishments.
* Interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, shift premiums, garnishments, and deductions affecting an hourly workforce.
* Build and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; lead payroll audits and keep documentation audit-ready.
* Manage payroll vendors — service levels, regulatory filings, reconciliations, and issue resolution.
* Build reporting and exception dashboards that surface anomalies, trends, and compliance risk before payroll runs.
* Investigate complex payroll issues, resolve them, and correct the root cause.
* Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and plant leadership on system releases, testing, integrations, acquisitions, and process changes.
* Apply automation and AI-enabled tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience within privacy and compliance requirements.  # Education
* Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.  # Experience
* 8+ years of progressively responsible multi-state U.S. payroll and timekeeping experience, including payroll service delivery in a shared services, outsourced, or vendor-managed model.
* Hands-on Workday Payroll experience — required.
* Hands-on UKG/Kronos Workforce Management experience — required.
* Payroll tax compliance, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, deductions, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and audits.
* Payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or process transitions.
* Preferred: large hourly manufacturing or industrial workforce experience; CPP certification; SOX control environment.  # Functional / Technical Skills
* Expert knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
* Advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos.
* Advanced payroll accounting — reconciliations, general ledger impacts, funding, and controls.
* Strong analytical skills; identifies anomalies and performs root cause analysis.
* Uses AI, automation, and reporting tools effectively while protecting compliance and data privacy.
* Influences stakeholders and leads cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
* Advanced Excel and reporting capability.
* Clear communicator and project manager; works effectively across cultures, functions, and sites.
** Target Hiring Range**: USD 0.00 - USD 0.00