HCM Analyst

Wakefern Food Corp.; Edison (NJ); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, supporting its banner operators with technology, procurement, and private label development.

The HCM/Payroll Analyst will act as the functional owner for Dayforce payroll and workforce management, ensuring data integrity, payroll compliance, and scalable processes across Payroll, HR, Technology, and Finance. The role emphasizes Dayforce administration, payroll support, reporting, and governance, with a hybrid

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, IS, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred; equivalent combo of education and experience considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years supporting HCM, payroll, HRIS, workforce management, or enterprise systems.
• Hands-on experience with Dayforce strongly preferred.
• Experience with payroll systems and payroll processing required.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with reporting/analytics required.
• Strong knowledge of Dayforce modules and payroll/workforce management functionality.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and support Dayforce payroll, time management, scheduling, and workforce management processes.
• Configure and test new Dayforce functionality, earnings/deductions, and workflows.
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot issues with vendors and technical teams.
• Support audits, data integrity, and regulatory compliance for payroll/HR data.
• Develop user documentation and train associates on Dayforce.
• Identify opportunities to automate processes and improve user experience.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Dayforce

HRIS

Reporting tools

Workforce management

Job description

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

Summary

The HCM/Payroll Analyst serves as the functional owner for assigned Dayforce payroll and workforce management processes, ensuring system reliability, data integrity, payroll compliance, operational controls, and continuous process improvement. The role partners across Payroll, HR, Technology, Finance, and business stakeholders to deliver scalable, efficient HCM solutions.

Essential Functions:

Dayforce Administration & Support

• Maintain and support Dayforce payroll, time management, scheduling, workforce management, employee records, workflows, and related functionality.
• Configure and test new system functionality, enhancements, payroll earnings and deduction codes, workflows, forms, and business processes.
• Monitor application performance and resolve system issues in partnership with vendors and technical teams.
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve system defects and user-reported issues.
• Support periodic system updates and releases, including impact assessments, testing, validation, and deployment activities.
• Maintain system configuration including pay groups, earnings, deductions, workflows, security roles, forms, and business rules.
• Perform root cause analysis for system issues and recommend permanent corrective actions.
• Maintain functional documentation for configuration changes and production support.
• Evaluate the impact of Dayforce releases and recommend implementation strategies.
• Participate in regression testing and user acceptance testing (UAT).

Payroll Support

• Serve as a liaison between Payroll, HR, and Technology teams regarding Dayforce payroll configuration and processing requirements.
• Support payroll processing activities through system validation, testing, reconciliations, and issue resolution.
• Research and resolve payroll-related data discrepancies.
• Support payroll balancing activities and assist with quarter-end and year-end payroll processes.
• Analyze payroll trends and recommend process improvements to reduce manual effort.

Reporting & Analytics

• Develop, maintain, and distribute standard and ad hoc reports utilizing Dayforce reporting tools.
• Create dashboards and data visualizations to support workforce planning, compliance monitoring, payroll auditing, and business decision-making.
• Perform data analysis and provide recommendations to improve operational efficiency and data quality.
• Partner with Compensation, Benefits, HR Operations, and Finance teams to produce workforce and payroll metrics.

Data Integrity & Compliance

• Support internal and external audits by gathering documentation and validating system records.
• Monitor integrations and data interfaces to ensure successful processing and accurate transmission of payroll and employee information.

Project & Business Support

• Participate in HCM project initiatives including new functionality implementations, acquisitions, integrations, and process improvements.
• Assist with business requirements gathering, solution design, configuration, testing, and implementation activities.
• Develop user documentation, job aids, training materials, and support resources.
• Train associates and business partners on Dayforce functionality and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve user experience.

System Governance & Controls

• Maintain system controls that ensure payroll accuracy and data integrity.
• Support audit readiness through documentation, testing evidence, and control validation.
• Monitor operational KPIs and identify opportunities for process improvements.
• Assist in developing standardized processes and governance documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience supporting HCM, payroll, HRIS, workforce management, or enterprise business systems.
• Hands-on experience with Dayforce strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll systems and payroll processing functions required.
• Experience with workforce management, time and attendance, scheduling, leave administration, benefits administration, and employee lifecycle processes preferred.
• Experience with reporting, data analysis, and system integrations preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Dayforce modules, payroll processing, and workforce management functionality.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with reporting tools, data validation, and analytics.
• Working knowledge of system integrations and data file management.
• Familiarity with HR, payroll, tax, wage and hour, and compliance requirements.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Ability to monitor computer screens for long periods of time
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule, with a current requirement of 4 days in person
• Ability to flex hybrid schedule to attend important meetings or store visits based on business needs
• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $88,036 — $140,712. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match & annual company contribution, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.

About The Work

This job description is intended to set forth the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of the work performed by associates for this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates to do this job. Associates may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require associates to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations or the work environment changes. This document describes the position currently available and is not an employment contract.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position covered by this Job Description is expressly declared to be “at will,” meaning Wakefern has the right to terminate the incumbent’s employment at any time, with or without cause. Any written or oral promises or representations to the contrary are expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any associate. Any change to this “at will” employment status must be in writing and signed by the Vice President of Human Resource.