Payroll Specialist

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading home, security and digital products company. We're focused on exciting opportunities within the home, security and commercial building markets. Our driving purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too.

At Fortune Brands, we're building something big. We're advancing exciting innovations in all of our products and processes. We're delivering trust, dependability, sustainability, and style. To make it all happen, we've transformed our workplace into an environment where smart, ambitious people have the support to reach their fullest potential.

When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength.

Explore life at Fortune Brands here.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Payroll Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of payroll while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of payroll systems, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive information with integrity. This position plays a critical role in supporting our employees and ensuring smooth payroll operations across the organization.

Position location: Deerfield, IL – position is Hybrid (On-site Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 

What you will be doing:

• Independently manage the bi-weekly payroll process across diverse employee groups (hourly, salary, salary non-exempt).
• Review/Audit employee payroll data residing in Workday and ADP. Escalate data discrepancies as needed, specifically as they relate to payroll, benefits, and 401k transactions.
• Ensure accurate processing, documentation, and reconciliation of payroll including balancing hours processed in the WFM/UKG timekeeping system.
• Process off-cycle payments and periodic payments for hourly and salary associates, including bonus processing and other unscheduled payments.
• Act as the primary contact for the local HR team and site timekeepers for payroll-related questions and issue resolution.
• Address and resolve employee inquiries regarding paychecks and payroll reporting, escalating issues as needed.
• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits.
• Assist in quarterly tax processing and annual year-end W2 balancing and processing.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive employee information.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement to enhance payroll efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Serve on cross departmental teams and support new procedures/projects and improvements due to business changes, operational requirements, strategic initiatives, and legal requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related subject or equivalent experience (high school diploma or GED with 5 years of experience).
• 3-5 years of experience in processing payroll, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Workday and ADP SmartCompliance experience preferred
• Deep understanding of payroll processes, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to include a strong understanding and experience with spreadsheet tools including VLOOKUP's and pivot tables.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Solid understanding of cloud-based collaboration tools including Smartsheet, BOX, SharePoint, Service Now, etc.

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is Hiring Pay Range: $40,000 USD - $66,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location. In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan.

At Fortune Brands, we support the overall health and wellness of our associates by offering comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates' unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution, product discounts, flexible time off benefits, adoption benefits, and more. We offer numerous ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to foster a sense of belonging for all associates.

Fortune Brands is built on industry-leading brands and innovation within the high-growth categories of water, outdoors and security. The Company makes innovative products for residential and commercial environments, with a growing focus on digital solutions and products that add luxury, contribute to safety and enhance sustainability. To learn more, visit our website at

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fortune Brands is an equal opportunity employer. Fortune Brands evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

Fortune Brands is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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To protect yourself from fraudulent job postings or recruitment scams, please note that Fortune Brands job postings are exclusively hosted on our website at via our SmartRecruiters platform. Fortune Brands will never request banking information or sensitive personal details until an offer of employment has been accepted and the onboarding process begins.