Payroll Administrator

Gulf Copper; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Copper is seeking a payroll professional to manage end-to-end, multi-state payroll for a large workforce in a heavy industry environment. You will ensure accurate, on-time payroll for shipbuilders, contractors, and salaried staff while complying with complex federal, state, and union regulations.

The role demands strong HRIS/payroll system proficiency, meticulous attention to detail, and capability to handle high-volume processing with data confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or HR preferred.
• Minimum 3+ years managing multi-state payroll, preferably in heavy industry.
• Proficiency with enterprise payroll software and HRIS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Administer weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll for a large employee population.
• Reconcile timekeeping data including overtime and shift differentials.
• Monitor union agreements, prevailing wage, and Davis-Bacon requirements.
• Audit state/local tax withholding based on work locations and reciprocity rules.
• Collaborate with HR on deductions for health benefits, 401(k), and garnishments.
• Maintain confidential payroll records and verify new hires, statuses, and terminations.
• Investigate payroll variances and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Evaluate workflows to improve system efficiency and reporting control.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Analytical skills

Cross-functional communication

Data confidentiality

Attention to detail

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Human Resources

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS platforms

Job description

Summary

Responsible for processing end-to-end, multi-state payroll for a large, diverse workforce. This role ensures all shipbuilders, contractors, and salaried staff are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strict compliance with complex federal, state, and union regulations. The position demands rigorous attention to detail, advanced HRIS/payroll system proficiency, and a solid understanding of heavy-industry labor compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the following: Other duties may be assigned.

• Payroll Processing: Administer weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll for a large employee population.
• Time & Attendance: Reconcile complex timekeeping data, including shift differentials, overtime, and piece-rate pay.
• Labor Compliance: Monitor and enforce compliance with union agreements, prevailing wage rules, and Davis-Bacon requirements.
• Tax Management: Audit state and local tax withholding accuracy based on employee work locations and state reciprocity rules.
• Benefit Reconciliation: Collaborate with HR to apply precise deductions for health benefits, 401(k), and garnishments.
• Record Keeping: Maintain confidential employee payroll records, verifying new hires, status changes, and terminations.
• Dispute Resolution: Investigate payroll variances and resolve employee pay discrepancies promptly.
• Process Improvement: Evaluate current payroll workflows, identifying opportunities to enhance system efficiency and reporting control

Required Education & Experience:

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or Human Resources preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 3+ years of dedicated experience managing multi-state payroll, ideally within heavy construction, manufacturing, or maritime industries.
• System Proficiency: Strong hands-on expertise with enterprise-level payroll software and HRIS platforms.
• Tax Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of state-specific wage and hour laws, multi-state tax setups, and SUTA rates.
• Certifications: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred

Working Environment/Physical Demands:

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites.
• Mobility to climb up and down stairs all day, as needed.
• Health, transportation and family arrangements to attend work every scheduled workday.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Regular exposure to all weather conditions, especially hot, humid and/or rainy weather, combined with regular work time indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.

Necessary Equipment Operation:

1. Office equipment, including telephone, copiers, scanner, computers, postage machine, ten-key.

Special Skills:

• Advanced analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent cross-functional communication.
• High integrity and strict adherence to data confidentiality.
• Strong organizational capability to meet tight, high-volume processing deadline

* 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Know Your Rights. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email: [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail: [e-mail].