Payroll & HR Admin Specialist (On-Site Sugar Land)

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.; Sugar Land (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) match

PTO (Paid Time Off)

Relocation package

Immigration sponsorships

Job summary

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. in Sugar Land, TX is seeking an HR Payroll Clerk to handle routine payroll processing, timecard reviews, and data entry for new hires and terminations.

You will maintain accurate payroll records, prepare reports, and serve as the first point of contact for payroll inquiries. The position is on-site in Sugar Land and requires 1-2 years of payroll experience, ADP Workforce Now familiarity, strong Excel skills, and a commitment to confidentiality and professional

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or relevant coursework in business, accounting, HR, or payroll preferred.
• 1-2 years of payroll, timekeeping, HR administration, accounting support or related experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of payroll/timekeeping systems; ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ability to work accurately with reports, spreadsheets, and payroll data.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to follow up effectively with employees and managers.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and processing of non-exempt payroll in accordance with established payroll schedules and procedures.
• Review employee timecards and identify issues related to Payclass or schedule assignments, including situations where an employee’s assigned Payclass does not align with their work schedule or applicable lunch deductions.
• Review employee timecards for missing punches, approvals, time-off entries, and other routine discrepancies. Run weekly timecard exception reports for non-exempt employees and proactively follow up with managers and employees to resolve discrepancies before payroll processing.
• Enter approved timecard corrections, including schedule changes, Reporting To and Time Approver updates, manager-requested timecard corrections, and approved missing hours.
• Assist with payroll setup for new hires and routine payroll processing for terminations; provide support with onboarding converts as assigned, including reviewing convert folders and entering relevant information into payroll notes for Coordinator review.
• Serve as the first point of contact for routine payroll inquiries and escape complex questions or discrepancies to the Payroll Coordinator.
• Run preliminary payroll reports, including Hours and Overtime reports, review data for accuracy, and identify unusual or unresolved items before payroll processing and Coordinator review.
• Prepare payroll data, supporting documentation, payroll notes, tracking items, and exception summaries for Coordinator review and reconciliation.
• Assist with routine payroll audits, post-payroll reporting, filing, and record maintenance, including maintaining required post-payroll reports.
• Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records in accordance with company procedures and applicable recordkeeping requirements.
• Follow payroll SOPs and internal controls; promptly escape transactions outside established procedures.
• Support special payroll projects, audits, and process-improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee compensation, tax, banking, and other sensitive payroll information.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Strong communication

Discretion

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. in Sugar Land, TX is seeking an HR Payroll Clerk to handle routine payroll processing, timecard reviews, and data entry for new hires and terminations.

You will maintain accurate payroll records, prepare reports, and serve as the first point of contact for payroll inquiries. The position is on-site in Sugar Land and requires 1-2 years of payroll experience, ADP Workforce Now familiarity, strong Excel skills, and a commitment to confidentiality and professional