Payroll Specialist

Position Overview

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing and processing payroll across multiple business units and locations, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on schedule. This role oversees weekly and biweekly payroll cycles, maintains employee payroll records, coordinates payroll data across internal systems and external providers, and supports ongoing improvements to payroll processes.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on payroll professional who can independently manage competing deadlines, maintain accurate records, and collaborate effectively with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership. Experience supporting a growing, multi-location organization and participating in payroll system transitions is beneficial.

This is a fully on-site position based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing and Administration

• Process weekly payroll for designated business units, ensuring accurate and timely employee payments.
• Manage biweekly payroll cycles for additional locations and business operations.
• Coordinate multiple payroll schedules while maintaining accuracy and meeting established deadlines.
• Review employee hours, earnings, deductions, tax withholdings, and other payroll inputs for completeness and accuracy.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and processing issues.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, employee information, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure payroll activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and company policies.

Payroll Systems and Data Management

• Process payroll using existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and payroll systems.
• Coordinate payroll data between internal systems and external payroll providers.
• Review uploaded payroll information to confirm data accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain organized payroll files and ensure employee information is handled confidentially.
• Assist with troubleshooting payroll system issues and improving data accuracy.
• Support the transition to a new payroll platform, including testing, data validation, process documentation, and implementation activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leaders to coordinate payroll information and resolve employee-related questions.
• Communicate payroll deadlines, required documentation, and process updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with employee onboarding and offboarding activities as they relate to payroll setup and final payments.
• Respond to payroll inquiries professionally and in a timely manner.
• Support reporting, reconciliations, and other payroll-related accounting activities as needed.

Process Improvement and Organizational Support

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll workflows, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Help establish and maintain standardized payroll procedures across multiple business units.
• Support payroll integration activities associated with company growth and acquisitions.
• Assist with payroll system implementation and the adoption of new processes and technologies.
• Provide additional administrative, Human Resources, or Finance support as business needs require.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Demonstrated hands-on experience processing payroll independently.
• Experience managing both weekly and biweekly payroll cycles.
• Familiarity with payroll administration for multiple business units or locations.
• Experience supporting organizations with approximately 300 employees or a comparable workforce preferred.
• Experience in a growing organization or an environment involving acquisitions and operational changes is beneficial.
• Experience with payroll system implementation or transition projects is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Familiarity with payroll platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and human resources information systems (HRIS).
• Experience with ADP, Paylocity, COINS, or comparable payroll and accounting systems is beneficial.
• Paylocity experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong data entry, recordkeeping, and payroll reconciliation skills.
• Proficiency in common office productivity tools and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to learn new systems and adapt to evolving payroll processes.