Payroll and Benefits Manager

Ascent Aerospace; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An aerospace manufacturing firm located in Michigan is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Manager to oversee payroll processing and benefits administration. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in payroll and benefits, with expertise in Dayforce. This role requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail. The position offers a collaborative work environment with limited travel. Candidates must meet ITAR requirements and be U.S. persons.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of payroll and benefit administration experience.
• Previous experience with Dayforce is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multi-state employees.
• Administer health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Dayforce.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or similar field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Dayforce

SAP

Excel

Job description

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

Summary of Position

Summary of Position

The Payroll & Benefits Manager is responsible for overseeing payroll processing, benefits administration, and HRIS management to ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. This role will serve as the subject matter expert for Dayforce, driving optimization of payroll, benefits, and HR data integrity across the organization.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position

Payroll

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for multi-state employees, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Audit payroll data for accuracy, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and adjustments.
• Maintain payroll controls and reconciliations; partner with Finance on payroll-related reporting.

Benefits

• Administer health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs.
• Serve as primary contact for benefit carriers and brokers.
• Support open enrollment, benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA), and employee education.
• In partnership with finance conduct monthly carrier invoice audits.

HRIS (Dayforce)

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Dayforce.
• Manage HRIS configuration, workflows, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Lead process improvements and system optimization initiative, ensuring data integrity across payroll, benefits, and HR functions.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and benefit regulations.
• Prepare and submit required filings (e.g., W-2, ACA, 5500, etc.).
• Develop and maintain reporting dashboards for HR, Finance, and leadership.

Collaboration

• Partner with HR, Finance, and leadership teams on payroll/benefits strategy and process improvements.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on payroll and benefits inquiries.
• Any additional duties assigned by management.

Required Skills, Education & Experience

Required Skills, Education & Experience

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources or similar field is preferred
• High school diploma or GED required
• CPP designation preferred
• 6+ years of payroll and benefit administration experience.
• 2+ years managing HRIS/payroll systems as strong plus.
• Previous experience with Dayforce (Ceridian) is preferred, strong HRIS experience is required.
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll and benefits regulations
• Previous experience with SAP is preferred
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with advanced Excel knowledge

• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22.C.F.R. § is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Effective speaking and listening skills.
• Ability to work on assignments where all tasks are not completely mapped
• Should exhibit high levels of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to think independently and problem solve.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes

Travel

Travel

Limited overnight travel up to 2-3 times per year. Travel may be required to other sites locations during the work day.

Working Conditions

Working Conditions

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

Physical Demands

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk & stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and move objects up to 35 lbs.

Special Requirements

Special Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace 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, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. 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 call toll-free [phone]. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.