Payroll Manager

Arctic Storm owns and operates catcher-processor vessels: factory ships that catch, process, and freeze Wild Alaska Pollock and Pacific Whiting  fish the Bering Sea and the Pacific Coast, working one of the largest wild fisheries on earth and some of its most demanding waters. Our product reaches markets worldwide.

A privately held Seattle company, Arctic Storm has worked these waters for decades and is part of the city’s long history at the heart of the North Pacific fishing industry. Arctic Storm Management Group is the finance and administrative arm behind the operation.

The Payroll Manager runs payroll for the Arctic Storm group of companies. The role owns the entire payroll process for office employees and vessel crew: processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, external reporting, and analysis across multiple entities.

This is not ordinary payroll. Pay moves with the operation, not the calendar. A trip ends, a season closes, a vessel goes into the yard, and each one starts its own clock. Getting it right matters to the crew who do the work. It is a hands-on role with real ownership. The Payroll Manager leads the Payroll Coordinator, partners closely with Human Resources and Finance, and works directly with senior management.

• Payroll operations. Own end-to-end payroll across all entities, including policies, procedures, calendars, and controls, and supervise the accurate and timely payment of office employees and vessel crew with the support of the Payroll Coordinator.
• Crew payroll and settlements. Calculate and process crew payrolls and settlements across trips, fishing seasons, and shipyard periods, ensuring compliance with employment contracts and applicable labor laws.
• Tax compliance. Ensure accurate withholding, remittance, and filing of federal, state, and local payroll taxes; prepare W-2s and other year-end filings; respond to garnishment orders and verifications of employment; and keep the company current as regulations change.
• Benefits administration. Administer 401(k) eligibility, contributions, and withdrawal requests; support the 401(k) Committee; reconcile year-end census data for 401(k) and ACA reporting; and partner with Human Resources on health insurance enrollment, changes, and employee questions.
• External reporting and audits. Prepare and submit required payroll reporting, including Bureau of Labor Statistics filings, and provide payroll data and analysis for USL&H, NOAA, and other regulatory and industry audits, as well as the annual 401(k) plan audit.
• Analysis and reporting. Analyze payroll data to identify trends and anomalies, prepare payroll cost analysis, forecasts, and ad hoc reporting for senior management, and provide accurate payroll data for budgeting and financial planning.
• Team, vendors, and systems. Lead and develop the Payroll Coordinator, manage payroll software providers and related vendors, and continuously improve payroll processes through automation and best practices.

• Five or more years of progressive payroll experience, including two or more years managing or leading a payroll function.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage and hour compliance, including year-end reporting.
• Experience running payroll in a multi-entity or multi-state environment.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large payroll data sets.
• High integrity and discretion with confidential information, and a calm, dependable approach to recurring deadlines.
• A clear communicator who works well with employees, crew, and senior leadership alike.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or similar designation.
• Experience with maritime, fishing, seafood processing, or other seasonal or incentive-based payroll such as crew shares, piece rates, or commissions.
• Benefits administration experience, including 401(k) plans and ACA reporting.
• Experience with PDS Vista or a comparable integrated payroll and HRIS platform.
• Experience supporting payroll-related audits, such as 401(k), workers' compensation, or regulatory audits.

Based in Seattle, Washington. This is an on-site role, and we provide a transportation benefit that can be used for public transit or a monthly parking pass at a nearby garage.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Base salary range: $115,000 to $130,000 per year, plus participation in the company's annual incentive plan. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, and salary continuation support for parental and other extended leave.

Arctic Storm Management Group is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.