Payroll Manager

Job Title: Payroll Manager

Reports to: Corporate Human Resources Director

Location: On-site at our office in Antigo, WI or Idaho, WI

Job Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for the accurate and timely payroll process across the United States and Canada, while maintaining strict compliance with complex multi-state and cross-border regulations. Responsibilities will not only oversee the day-to-day processing but also drive process improvements, lead system integrations, and act as a key partner to the Human Resources and Finance teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Hire, train, coach, and mentor direct reports.
• Develops annual individual career development plans and provides feedback, coaching, and direction to support the professional growth of team members.
• Foster open communication within the team and across departments to maintain alignment on payroll duties and requirements.

Essential Duties

• Manage end-to-end payroll lifecycle for a diverse workforce across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
• Ensure accurate calculation of wages, tax withholdings, benefits deductions, and garnishments.
• Oversee the filing of quarterly and annual tax returns (Form 941, W-2s, 1095s and Canadian T4s, ROE).
• Oversee the entry and/or auditing of payroll changes including but not limited to tax changes, address changes, and direct deposit.
• Manages the entry, recordkeeping, and follow-up of garnishments, child support orders, tax liens, wage assignments, etc.
• Ensures payroll is processed in compliance with the current labor laws, tax codes, and reporting requirements in all jurisdictions and stays current with changes (i.e. FLSA, Employment Standards Act, etc.)
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and ensure all filings are reconciled. Responds to inquiries for payroll related information for various programs such as workers compensation, unemployment, and verifications of employment, etc.
• Optimize and automate payroll workflows to increase efficiency and reduce manual error.
• Serve as a functional lead for payroll system upgrades or new system implementations.
• Maintain data integrity between all payroll, HRIS, and accounting systems as appropriate.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reports for leadership.
• Analyze payroll data to provide insight on labor costs, overtime trends, and budget variances.
• Manage the payroll budget and vendor relationships (payroll providers, tax services, etc.)
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Identifies and recommend updates to payroll procedures and writes and maintains work procedures to document work process flows related to areas of responsibility.
• Monitors the payment of bonus and commission programs to ensure they are timely and taxed properly.
• Manages the proper calculation and payment of overtime compensation.
• Oversees the programming of the time recordkeeping system, administration, and transfer of time into payroll system, this includes time collection devices.
• Writes and maintains company policies related to payroll ensuring legal compliance.
• Supports employees by handling the most complex issues and inquiries related to areas of responsibility.
• Develop manager training related to payroll rules and supervisory payroll duties. Acclimate new managers to the process as needed.
• Meet or exceed established safety standards through personal accountability and a safety-first mindset.
• Always maintain the strictest confidentiality of proprietary and team member information using established safeguards to prevent any disclosures. Shares information only on a need-to-know basis.
• Ensures system compliance with data security and privacy requirements.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to professionally deliver good and bad news.
• Highly proficient in the use of Excel with the ability to program complex functions.
• Ability to lead others to achieve their greatest potential.
• Intermediary report writing skills to write custom reports.
• Good presentation skills to present complex data and information.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an awareness of culture.
• High degree of critical thinking, interpretive/analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to oversee projects to achieve expected outcomes.
• Shows responsibility for company resources.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines and maintain a calm demeanor.
• High level of accuracy in performance of job duties.

Education and Experience

• Knowledge of payroll processing, usually acquired through an associate degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Payroll, or similar discipline. Specialized training in payroll, benefits, and/or compensation is highly desired.
• Three (3) or more years of payroll experience in a leadership capacity desired.
• Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and HRIS systems experience. ADP experience desired.
• Certification in payroll highly desired such as for the U.S.: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or for Canada: Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM).

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, stooping, and bending.
• Be able to handle, grasp, and perform repetitive motions.
• Working in an office environment with periodic exposure to manufacturing environments

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment To Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) – Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) – We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist. They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly. Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to product as possible.
• Kind, Humble And Positive (HUMBLE) – These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others. But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For "Expert" (EXPERTS) – Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles. From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy – the desire for "expert" drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth – Developing Of Self And Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)– Times, tools, and customer expectations change. Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them. We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) – The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations Of Self And Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) – We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort. When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection. When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn't Safe, We Don't Do It (SAFETY) – All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in environment where they can best execute their tasks safely. When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety and "x" – we choose safety.

Driver Requirements

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company is preferred. Inclusion in the company's driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle.

Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

As a family-owned and operated company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. We offer a strong foundation of benefits, including access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA employer contribution, and a 401k with profit sharing to secure your future. To support your overall well-being and family life, we offer additional benefits beyond the core package, such as paid vacation, wellness stipends, childcare reimbursement assistance, and much more. We are committed to continuously enhancing our benefits to meet the evolving needs of our team.