Human Resources Payroll Manager

Top Quality Recruitment (TQR); Coachella (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Quality Recruitment (TQR) is assisting a Southern California manufacturing organization in finding an experienced Human Resources & Payroll Manager. This hands-on role leads HR and payroll across multiple states, ensuring compliance and accurate payroll processing while partnering with executives.

Reporting to the CFO/COO, you will own employee lifecycle programs, workforce planning, benefits administration, and HR policy maintenance, shaping a strategic yet operational HR function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including payroll.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law; multi-state HR experience preferred.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems; Paylocity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR and payroll operations across the full employee lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws.
• Partner with CFO/COO and managers on workforce planning and performance management.
• Maintain HR policies, documentation, and reporting.

Skills

HR experience

Payroll administration

California employment law

Multi-state HR

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Paylocity

Job description

Location: Southern California (Coachella Valley preferred). Candidates working remotely must be able to travel regularly to the Coachella Valley manufacturing facility and other company locations as required.

Human Resources & Payroll Manager

Southern California (Coachella Valley Preferred)

Our client is seeking an experienced Human Resources & Payroll Manager to lead HR and payroll operations for a growing multi-state manufacturing organization. This is a hands-on leadership role supporting employees and managers across the full employee lifecycle while ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws.

Reporting to the CFO/COO, you will serve as a trusted business partner, balancing strategic HR initiatives with day-to-day operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and employee orientation.
• Manage payroll administration, timekeeping, and HRIS records with a high degree of accuracy.
• Administer employee benefits, leave programs, workers' compensation, and employee relations.
• Partner with managers on performance management, coaching, disciplinary actions, and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws across multiple states, including California.
• Maintain employee policies, handbooks, HR documentation, and personnel files.
• Support training, employee engagement, and organizational development initiatives.
• Prepare HR reports, metrics, and compliance documentation while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including payroll administration.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law; multi-state HR experience is highly desirable. (California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Texas)
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, or operations environments preferred.
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems (Paylocity experience is an asset).
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) is considered an asset.

Why Join Our Client?

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a respected and growing manufacturing organization where Human Resources is viewed as a strategic business partner. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and company growth while working closely with executive leadership.

Location: Southern California (Coachella Valley preferred). Candidates working remotely must be able to travel regularly to the Indio manufacturing facility and other company locations as required.