We are looking for a Payroll and Compensation Manager to lead payroll administration and compensation programs for a multi-state workforce in the Spencer Massachusetts. area This role is well suited for a hands-on, detail-oriented individual who can balance day-to-day payroll execution with data analysis, compliance oversight, and compensation planning. The ideal candidate brings strong experience supporting both hourly and salaried employees in a manufacturing setting and can work closely with HR, Finance, and operational leaders to maintain accuracy, consistency, and strong internal controls.
Responsibilities:
- Lead payroll processing for weekly and semi-monthly pay cycles, ensuring accurate and timely payment for employees across multiple states.
- Administer payroll activities through Paylocity, including earnings, deductions, bonus payments, corrections, and timekeeping-related updates.
- Review attendance and time records, coordinate with managers to address missed or inaccurate entries, and resolve payroll discrepancies before each cycle is finalized.
- Perform reconciliations for payroll results, tax obligations, benefit withholdings, retirement contributions, and related general ledger items.
- Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws, including wage and hour rules and final pay requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
- Oversee payroll tax reporting activities, year-end documentation, audit support, and record retention to ensure complete and accurate payroll files.
- Manage compensation frameworks such as pay ranges, grade structures, incentive plans, and merit increase processes to support equitable and competitive pay practices.
- Produce and interpret payroll, labor cost, headcount, and compensation reports that support budgeting, forecasting, and workforce planning decisions.
- Act as the primary Paylocity resource by improving workflows, strengthening reporting capabilities, and promoting data accuracy across payroll and timekeeping processes.
- Partner with HR, Finance, Production, and department leadership to address payroll questions, provide compensation insight, and reinforce process controls.
- At least 4 years of experience managing payroll and compensation activities in a detail-oriented setting.
- Proven hands-on experience processing multi-state payroll with a strong understanding of related compliance requirements.
- Background supporting a manufacturing environment with a large hourly employee population and multiple pay frequencies, including weekly and semi-monthly payroll.
- Experience with full-cycle payroll administration for organizations with high employee volume.
- Proficiency with payroll systems such as Paylocity; familiarity with Paylocity timekeeping tools is preferred.
- Strong Excel, reporting, and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate headcount, labor cost, payroll trend, and workforce data.
- Knowledge of compensation administration, including salary structures, pay adjustments, and incentive programs.
- Stable work history and a track record of reliability, organization, and sound judgment in payroll operations.