Job Title:HR Specialist - Payroll & HR Operations
Industry: Manufacturing
Location (city, state): Hoffman Estates, IL
Assignment Type: Direct Hire
Pay: Up to $85,000 annually + 8% annual bonus
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, standard business hours. Fully onsite for the first 90 days, with the potential to transition to a hybrid schedule afterward (typically 3 days onsite and up to 2 days remote, based on management discretion and business needs).
Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, paid holidays, PTO, and a 401(k) with a 100% company match on contributions up to 5%.
Job Description: The HR Specialist will play a key role in payroll administration, onboarding, benefits, and day-to-day HR operations. This position is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in payroll and employee onboarding who is eager to develop additional HR expertise. The successful candidate will receive hands-on training and collaborate closely with HR leadership and HR Business Partners, with the opportunity to gradually take ownership of broader HR responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities: - Process biweekly payroll for employees, ensuring accurate calculations for wages, deductions, garnishments, paid time off, and leave-related adjustments.
- Review employee timecards and payroll changes, investigate discrepancies, and maintain accurate payroll records.
- Assist with weekly Canadian payroll processing and support related system transitions.
- Manage employee information and workflows within the HRIS, including new hires, compensation updates, performance reviews, and employee changes.
- Coordinate the complete onboarding process, from offer letter processing and pre-employment screenings to new hire documentation and first-day preparation.
- Facilitate weekly new hire orientation, providing training, answering questions, and helping employees transition successfully into the organization.
- Support employee training initiatives and learning and development programs.
- Assist with benefits administration, employee inquiries, eligibility updates, and annual open enrollment.
- Help administer merit increases, performance review cycles, and commission-related system updates.
- Coordinate interview scheduling and provide administrative support to HR leadership and HR Business Partners.
- Assist with leave administration, including FMLA and other leave-related processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR workflows, maintain accurate employee records, and provide responsive support to employees and managers.
Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree required.
- Approximately 2-4 years of HR experience, ideally in an HR Coordinator, HR Specialist, or junior HR Generalist capacity.
- Previous hands-on payroll processing experience is required, including familiarity with timekeeping, payroll adjustments, and related administration.
- Experience coordinating onboarding and new hire orientation.
- Familiarity with an HRIS; UKG experience is strongly preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate, confidential employee records.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage recurring deadlines and competing priorities.
- A proactive, collaborative mindset and eagerness to learn additional areas of HR.
- Ability to work onsite in Hoffman Estates, IL, during the initial training period.
Perks: - Competitive compensation with an annual bonus opportunity.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- Life insurance.
- Paid holidays and PTO.
- 401(k) with a 100% company match on contributions up to 5%.
- Collaborative team environment with hands-on mentorship.
- Opportunities for professional development and potential future growth into an HR Business Partner role.
