As our next Payroll Manager, you will lead payroll operations for our North American organization, ensuring employees across our location and corporate functions are paid accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable regulations.
Based at our North America Headquarters, in Lenexa, KS, this will be a hands-on leadership role that combines day to day payroll support, strategic oversight, operational excellence, and people development. In this role, you will balance payroll delivery and problem solving and process improvement while partnering with HR, Benefits, Finance and business leaders. You will bring payroll expertise, a customer-focused mindset, and experience supporting both hourly manufacturing and salaried employee populations in a multi-state environment.
What You'll DoPayroll Operations and Leadership- Manage and run end-to-end payrolls for employees across multiple US states and Canada, including regular earnings, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, commissions and other compensation, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
- Manage, coach, and develop the Senior Payroll Specialist while maintaining hands-on involvement in payroll processing.
- Review payroll data, audits, and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Compliance and Risk Management- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, tax, and wage-and-hour regulations.
- Oversee payroll tax reporting, filings, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and implement required updates.
- Maintain strong payroll controls and confidentiality of employee information.
Cross-Functional Partnership- Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance and business leaders to support payroll-related initiatives, benefits and employee experience.
- Support mergers, acquisitions, organizational changes and workforce growth initiatives impacting payroll operations.
- Support internal and external payroll and benefit-related audits, including the annual 401(k), benefits and finance audits and address compliance related inquiries.
Systems and Process Improvement Leadership- Serve as the primary payroll system expert and vendor liaison.
- Champion a forward-thinking mindset by questioning existing practices, reimagining processes that enhance efficiency, compliance, and service delivery.
- Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, and documentation.
Reporting & Analytics- Own payroll reporting, reconciliations, and analytical insights for leadership and business partners.
- Develop and maintain audit reports, compliance reporting, workforce cost analysis, and payroll metrics.
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement based on payroll and workforce data.
What You'll BringEducation- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant payroll experience may be considered.
Experience- Minimum 7 years of progressive payroll experience.
- Minimum 2 years of direct people leadership or supervisory experience.
- Experience supporting multi-state payroll operations in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred.
- Experience processing payroll for both exempt and non-exempt employee populations.
- Experience with integrated HCM/payroll systems such as UKG, ADP, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Ceridian Dayforce, or similar platforms.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Solid knowledge of payroll administration, payroll taxes, wage and hour regulations, and compliance requirements.
- Understanding of manufacturing payroll complexities, including overtime, shift differentials, and timekeeping systems.
- Exceptional analytical, auditing, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting capabilities.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to clearly communicate and build effective relationships across all levels in the organization.
- Commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
