Payroll Administrator

Gulf Copper; Port Arthur (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulf Copper in Port Arthur, TX seeks an experienced payroll professional to manage end-to-end, multi-state payroll for a large workforce including shipbuilders, contractors, and salaried staff.

You will ensure accurate and timely pay while maintaining strict compliance with federal, state, and union regulations and supporting heavy-industry payroll processes. Strong HRIS and payroll software skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of multi-state payroll experience.
• Experience in heavy construction, manufacturing, or maritime industries preferred.
• Proficient with enterprise payroll software and HRIS systems.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred

Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing: Administer weekly and bi-weekly multi-state payroll.
• Time & Attendance: Reconcile complex timekeeping data including overtime and piece-rate pay.
• Labor Compliance: Ensure compliance with union agreements, prevailing wage rules, and Davis-Bacon requirements.
• Tax Management: Audit state/local tax withholding based on work locations and reciprocity rules.
• Benefit Reconciliation: Apply accurate deductions for health benefits, 401(k), and garnishments.
• Record Keeping: Maintain confidential payroll records and verify hires, status changes, terminations.
• Dispute Resolution: Investigate variances and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve workflows and reporting control

Skills

Analytical skills

Numerical skills

Cross-functional communication

Data confidentiality

Organization

Education

Associate or Bachelor degree in Accounting/Finance/Business/HR

Tools

Payroll software

HRIS platforms

Job description

ion 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].