Payroll & Retirement Benefits Manager

Payroll & Retirement Benefits Manager

Lead payroll operations and retirement benefits for a growing industrial automation leader

Control Associates is seeking an experienced Payroll & Retirement Benefits Manager to own and lead our payroll operations and retirement benefits administration. This is a high-impact role that sits at the intersection of Finance, HR, and Compliance - ensuring our employees are paid accurately, benefits are administered effectively, and our organization remains audit-ready as we continue to scale and grow.

About Control Associates:

For over 90 years, Control Associates has been at the forefront of industrial process automation as an Emerson partner serving pharmaceutical, life sciences, chemical processing, and other critical industries across the New York tri-state area. As our organization continues to grow and mature, we're investing in experienced finance and HR operations leadership to support our expanding workforce and increasingly complex compliance requirements.

Your Role and Impact:

Reporting directly to the CFO, you'll oversee end-to-end multi-state payroll processing and administration of our retirement programs including ESOP, 401(k), and 1165(e) plans. You'll maintain strong internal controls, drive process improvements, and partner closely with Finance and Human Resources on budgeting, reporting, and compliance. This role also includes direct supervision of a Payroll Specialist, giving you the opportunity to mentor and develop talent while building a best-in-class payroll and benefits function.

What You'll Lead and Deliver:

Payroll Operations & Compliance:

• Oversee accurate and timely multi-state payroll processing for hourly, salaried, and contract employees
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations (FLSA, wage laws, tax requirements)
• Monitor and lead implementation of legislative tax changes affecting payroll
• Manage payroll tax filings, W-2 processing, and quarterly/year-end reconciliations
• Establish and monitor payroll accuracy and timeliness KPIs
• Maintain comprehensive payroll documentation to ensure audit readiness
• Manage vehicle program compliance including Fixed & Variable Rate Program adjustments and annual tax compliance

Benefits & Retirement Programs:

• Own and ensure compliance with all regulatory and administrative requirements for ESOP, 401(k), and 1165(e) retirement plans
• Coordinate with HR on health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA
• Prepare annual retirement census data and support actuarial and plan reporting requirements
• Support preparation and review of Form 5500 filings
• Review and reconcile benefit invoices and ensure accurate payroll deductions

Accounting & Financial Integration:

• Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries for bi-weekly, bonus, and special payrolls
• Reconcile payroll and benefits-related balance sheet accounts
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes
• Provide headcount and compensation reporting including variance analysis vs. budget and forecast
• Partner with Finance on accruals, analytics, and cost management
• Manage corporate credit card program and review travel and expense submissions

Systems, Data Integrity & Reporting:

• Maintain data integrity across HRIS (IFS), payroll (UKG), and timekeeping systems
• Ensure accurate integration between payroll, benefits platforms, and third-party carriers
• Partner with HR and IT on system enhancements, implementations, and automation initiatives
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce manual workflows

Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance:

• Design and maintain a strong internal controls framework for payroll and benefits processes
• Partner with Business Assurance on control design, testing, and remediation
• Lead remediation efforts for audit findings related to payroll or benefits
• Ensure all payroll and benefits transactions are audit-ready with proper documentation

Leadership & Continuous Improvement:

• Supervise, coach, and develop Payroll Specialist through ongoing feedback and annual reviews
• Drive process standardization, documentation, and best practices across payroll and benefits functions
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and strong internal controls

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field
• 5-7+ years of payroll and benefits experience including multi-state payroll environments
• Strong working knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and benefits laws (ERISA, ACA, COBRA)
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems (UKG, ADP, IFS, or similar platforms) UKG experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills (data reconciliation, pivot tables, audit schedules, and reporting)
• Demonstrated experience supporting payroll and/or benefits audits
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred
• Experience…