Cedar's Mediterranean Foods | Haverhill, MA Full-Time | On-Site About the Opportunity Cedar's Mediterranean Foods is looking for a dependable, detail-oriented, and organized Payroll Assistant to join our Human Resources team. This is an entry-level opportunity for someone who enjoys working with numbers, has strong attention to detail, and is comfortable communicating with employees in both English and Spanish. The Payroll Assistant will help maintain accurate employee timekeeping and attendance records, review daily timecards, and support weekly payroll preparation. You'll work closely with our Senior Payroll Specialist and HR team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Previous payroll experience is not required. We're happy to train someone who has the right skills, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn!
Key Responsibilities
Timekeeping & Attendance
- Review daily timecards for permanent and temporary employees to identify missing punches, incorrect hours, and other discrepancies.
- Monitor the employee absence notification line and maintain accurate attendance records.
- Contact employees in English and Spanish to confirm absences, clarify attendance information, and follow up on discrepancies.
- Communicate with supervisors and managers regarding missing punches, attendance issues, and timecard corrections.
- Follow up on outstanding timekeeping issues to ensure records are accurate and complete.
Payroll Support
- Assist the Senior Payroll Specialist with preliminary weekly payroll reviews.
- Help verify employee hours, overtime, PTO, and other payroll information.
- Identify discrepancies and assist with obtaining necessary corrections.
- Maintain accurate payroll and timekeeping records.
- Assist with payroll reports, data entry, and other administrative tasks.
Temporary Employee Support
- Review temporary employee timecards and attendance records.
- Communicate with supervisors and staffing agencies to resolve timekeeping discrepancies.
- Assist with maintaining accurate records in SimpleVMS and other systems.
Required Qualifications
- Fluent in English and Spanish (required) - must be comfortable speaking with employees by phone and in person.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Strong numerical skills and ability to accurately review and compare numbers.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and data entry.
- Good communication and follow-up skills.
- Dependable, punctual, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to handle confidential employee information professionally.
- Willingness to learn payroll systems and company procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in payroll, timekeeping, data entry, or general office administration.
- Familiarity with ADP Workforce Now, SimpleVMS, or similar systems.
- Experience working in a manufacturing or fast-paced office environment.
Payroll experience is a plus, but not required. Training will be provided. Work Environment This is a full-time, on-site position in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The Payroll Assistant will work closely with the HR team, supervisors, and employees across multiple shifts. Occasional schedule flexibility may be needed to support payroll deadlines and operational requirements. Join Our Team If you're organized, good with numbers, enjoy helping people, and are looking for an opportunity to develop your skills in Human Resources and payroll, we'd love to hear from you! Internal and external candidates are encouraged to apply. Cedar's Mediterranean Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees. Recruitment Agencies: Cedar's Mediterranean Foods is not accepting unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or inquiries from staffing or recruiting agencies for this position. Direct applicants only. No agency calls or emails, please.
Regular Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Cedar's operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While this position follows a regular daytime schedule, flexibility is required to occasionally adjust working hours to support new-hire orientation, training, employee onboarding and HR activities across all shifts. This may include early mornings, evenings or occasional weekends, based on business needs. Off-shift coverage is not expected on a regular basis but is an important part of the position.
