Payroll & Tax Specialist II

Summary

The Payroll & Tax Specialist II independently administers payroll, payroll tax, benefits, and employment eligibility (Form I-9/E-Verify) processes for HLBMA LLC, with a smaller portion of time supporting general HR operations. This is a Level II role: the incumbent works with a high degree of autonomy on recurring and non-routine payroll, tax, and benefits matters, exercises judgment in resolving discrepancies and escalations, and serves as a key point of accuracy and compliance for payroll-related processes.

This role requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, organization, analytical ability, and attention to detail, and works closely with employees, managers, Finance, benefit providers, payroll vendors, government agencies, and other HR team members.

• Independently execute full-cycle payroll processing, preparation, validation, and submission in accordance with established schedules
• Review wages, deductions, tax with holdings, shift premiums, and overtime for accuracy; investigate and resolve payroll exceptions and discrepancies
• Reconcile payroll registers, timekeeping, deductions, and taxes; coordinate payroll approval and funding with Finance
• Perform payroll tax reporting, reconciliation, and quarterly/year-end validation with the payroll provider; review W-2s and coordinate corrections
• Research and resolve payroll tax notices and agency correspondence in partnership with the payroll provider
• Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, and other legally required deductions, including setup, remittance, and recordkeeping
• Maintain payroll calendars, reconciliation documentation, and accurate payroll data within the HRIS/payroll system
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and dashboards; support payroll audits, system testing, and process improvement
• Administer employee benefit processes, including new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, and benefit changes
• Coordinate with benefit providers on enrollment, eligibility, and carrier-related matters
• Review benefit information for accuracy and resolve deduction or eligibility discrepancies
• Complete and verify Form I-9, including reverification and document retention, per company procedure and applicable law
• Process and monitor E-Verify cases in accordance with federal requirements
• Support audits and periodic reviews of Form I-9 and employment eligibility records
• Assist with new hire onboarding and employee documentation as needed
• Support employee data maintenance within HRIS platforms
• Support general HR documentation, reporting, and special projects as assigned
• Maintain confidentiality of employee, payroll, tax, benefits, and business information at all times
• Maintain regular, reliable on-site attendance and adhere to 5S3R workplace standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered in lieu of a degree
• CPP, FPC, SHRM-CP, PHR, or other payroll/HR-related certification preferred

• 3+ years of payroll administration/processing experience required, including payroll tax, reconciliation, garnishments, and year-end processes
• Experience supporting employee benefits and Form I-9/E-Verify administration preferred
• Experience processing payroll in a high-volume, multi-shift manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform required

This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship, now or in the future. Candidates must possess current, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

• Working knowledge of payroll processing, wage administration, deductions, taxation, and recordkeeping
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills; able to identify discrepancies and research root causes independently
• Ability to interpret payroll, tax, benefit, and garnishment documentation accurately
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency (formulas, lookups, reconciliation, data validation)
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, benefits, and timekeeping systems
• Strong confidentiality,…