Manager, Payroll Administration

Petco; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Petco is seeking a Manager of Payroll Operations to lead end-to-end payroll delivery across multiple states, ensuring accurate processing, strong controls, compliance, and an excellent partner experience.

The role partners with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Tax, HRIS, and external vendors to optimize systems, automate where possible, and drive scalable payroll operations in a large, multi-state environment, including year-end processing, earnings, deductions, and garnishments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a large, complex organization.
• 2+ years of leadership or people management experience.
• Deep knowledge of payroll operations, payroll tax, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and year-end processing.
• Experience in multi-state payroll environments with exempt and non-exempt populations.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations: Lead payroll cycles, off-cycle payments, adjustments, and year-end processing; oversee earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, PTO, bonuses, and supplemental pay; resolve escalated issues.
• Compliance & Controls: Ensure compliance with wage/hour laws, tax regulations, reporting, SOX controls, audits, notices, and corrective actions.
• Systems & Process Improvement: Own payroll system administration, enhancements, integrations, testing, automation, data accuracy, and support organizational changes.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop team members; establish standards and priorities; communicate effectively; lead through change.
• Reporting & Analytics: Deliver recurring and ad hoc reporting; identify trends, anomalies, and risks; support forecasting and decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Workday

Payroll operations

Excel

Communication

Analytical

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

CPP preferred

Tools

Workday

Excel

Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?

We’re proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.

Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what’s right for pets and people.

• Pet First – Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.

• Foster the Fun – Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.

• Let’s Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.

About Petco:

We’re proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years — from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood — the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we’re here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

Position Summary

Lead the successful execution of Petco’s payroll operations while ensuring strong compliance, effective controls, and an excellent partner experience. This role is responsible for end-to-end payroll delivery, payroll systems administration, vendor performance, process improvement, and team leadership in a complex multi-state environment.

The Manager, Payroll Operations partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Tax, HRIS, and external vendors to ensure payroll processes are accurate, timely, compliant, and scalable. This leader uses data, technology, and strong operational discipline to continuously improve service levels, reduce risk, and support business growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Payroll Operations: Lead payroll cycles, off-cycle payments, adjustments, and year-end processing; oversee earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, PTO, bonuses, and supplemental pay; resolve escalated issues.
• Compliance & Controls: Ensure compliance with wage/hour laws, tax regulations, reporting, SOX controls, audits, notices, and corrective actions.
• Systems & Process Improvement: Own payroll system administration, enhancements, integrations, testing, automation, data accuracy, and support organizational changes.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, coach, and develop team members; establish standards and priorities; communicate effectively; lead through change.
• Reporting & Analytics: Deliver recurring and ad hoc reporting; identify trends, anomalies, and risks; support forecasting and decision-making.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a large, complex organization.
• 2+ years of leadership or team management experience.
• Deep knowledge of payroll operations, payroll tax, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and year-end processing.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll environments with exempt and non-exempt populations.
• Strong systems aptitude with Workday.
• Experience with payroll vendors and third-party service management.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with reporting tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent communication, judgment, and customer service capabilities.
• International payroll experience preferred.
• CPP preferred.

Success in Role

• Accurate and timely payroll execution
• Strong compliance and audit results
• Improved service levels and partner satisfaction
• Reduced manual effort through automation
• Effective team engagement and development
• Successful delivery of key projects and initiatives

#LI-AT2

#CORP

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.

To translate this webpage to Spanish or other languages on your internet browser click the translate button to the right of your browser address bar. Additional instruction can be found here: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop

Para traducir esta página web al español u otros idiomas en su navegador de Internet, haga clic en el botón de traducción a la derecha de la barra de direcciones de su navegador. Puede encontrar instrucciones adicionales aquí:

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/173424?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop