Payroll Leader - Hybrid, Multi-State & Compliance

Welch's; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Welch's seeks a Payroll Manager to lead accurate, compliant payroll for employees across states, reporting to the Director, People & Operations. You will own end-to-end payroll, develop the team, and partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Benefits, and plant leadership to scale processes.

The role is based at Welch's Waltham, MA headquarters with a hybrid schedule (Mon–Wed in office, Thu–Fri remote) and occasional travel to manufacturing sites. CPP designation is preferred and UKG experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leading payroll operations and people.
• Experience managing complex, multi-state payroll for hourly and salaried employees; manufacturing and union payroll experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, wage and hour laws.
• Experience with enterprise payroll, HRIS, and timekeeping systems; UKG experience is a plus.
• Strong Excel skills for analyzing large data sets.
• CPP designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end payroll process across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Professionalize the payroll function with tools, systems, and integrations with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Oversee payroll operations for salaried, hourly, union, non-union, and seasonal employees across corporate and manufacturing locations.
• Coach and develop the payroll team with clear roles, service expectations, and performance measures.
• Review and approve payroll calculations, adjustments, deductions, taxes, and benefit contributions.
• Interpret and administer payroll provisions in CBAs, policies, and wage-hour laws.
• Own payroll tax compliance, including registrations, deposits, reconciliations, and W‑2 processing.
• Maintain audit-ready records and identify risks for prompt action.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll, tax, and benefit accounts; support close activities.
• Serve as payroll SME for HRIS and timekeeping; test system changes and enhancements.
• Monitor data quality and resolve issues in employee records and interfaces.
• Build partnerships within HR and Finance to resolve issues and support business needs.
• Oversee payroll vendors, monitor service levels, and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Respond to employee questions with accuracy, empathy, and confidentiality.
• Lead process improvement and automation to reduce manual work and improve accuracy.
• Develop and track payroll metrics and stay current on regulations.
• Support audits and compliance reviews.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Multi-state payroll

Union payroll

People leadership

Process improvement

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

HRIS integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business Administration, or related field

CPP designation preferred

Tools

UKG experience

Excel

HRIS

Job description

Welch's seeks a Payroll Manager to lead accurate, compliant payroll for employees across states, reporting to the Director, People & Operations. You will own end-to-end payroll, develop the team, and partner with HR, Finance, Legal, Benefits, and plant leadership to scale processes.

The role is based at Welch's Waltham, MA headquarters with a hybrid schedule (Mon–Wed in office, Thu–Fri remote) and occasional travel to manufacturing sites. CPP designation is preferred and UKG experience is a plus.