Payroll Manager

AMPAM; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AMPAM Carson office is seeking a Payroll Manager to oversee end-to-end payroll processing for about 1,500 employees across multiple locations, using ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager in a fast-paced MEP environment.

You will ensure California wage and hour compliance, manage timekeeping, taxes, deductions, and benefits, and lead a payroll team of specialists while partnering with HR, Accounting, and Operations to drive process improvements.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of payroll experience.
• Experience in the MEPrelated construction or field service industry preferred.
• Must be bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Deep knowledge of California wage and hour laws and federal payroll regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for ~1,500 employees, bi-weekly.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
• Manage timekeeping, deductions, and benefits contributions.
• Lead payroll audits and resolve discrepancies rapidly.
• Develop payroll SOPs and train staff; mentor payroll specialists.

Skills

ADP WFN

ADP WFM

Bilingual EN/ES

Payroll leadership

California labor laws

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

CPA/CPP (plus)

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Manager

HRIS integration

Job description

Who We Are

AMPAM Parks Mechanical specializes in multifamily residential construction. The company’s core strength is its design-build model that allows clients to minimize risk, shorten construction schedules, and accelerate building occupancy.

What We’re Looking For

The AMPAM Carson office is looking for a Payroll Manager who is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees across multiple locations in compliance with federal, state (California), and local regulations. This role leads a payroll team, ensures proper tax and benefits administration, and collaborates with HR, Accounting, and Operations to support payroll-related processes. The Payroll Manager plays a critical role in ensuring payroll integrity, reporting, and process improvement in a fast-paced MEP environment.

What You’ll be Doing: (But not limited to the following)

Payroll Operations

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing using ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager for ~1,500 employees, including hourly, salaried, and field staff in a non-union environment on a bi-weekly basis.
• Ensure compliance with California labor laws, including overtime, meal/rest breaks, and wage reporting.
• Manage timekeeping systems, including ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager, ensuring accurate capture of clock-in/out, PTO, and exceptions.
• Prepare and submit federal, state, and local payroll taxes timely and accurately.
• Administer payroll-related deductions, garnishments, and benefits contributions.
• Oversee payroll audits and resolve discrepancies quickly.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll specialists/coordinators.
• Assign payroll responsibilities and ensure team compliance with deadlines and accuracy standards.
• Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, training materials, and internal controls.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California labor laws, wage orders, and employment regulations.
• Prepare internal and external reporting: payroll summaries, headcount reports, labor cost analysis, and compliance reports.
• Coordinate with auditors, tax authorities, and regulatory agencies as needed.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency, and accuracy in payroll processes.
• Lead implementation of new payroll systems, modules, or integrations with HRIS, timekeeping, or ERP systems.
• Support management with insights on payroll trends, labor cost management, and workforce planning.

Who You Are

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field. CPA, CPP, or other payroll certification is a plus.
• Minimum 7–10 years of payroll experience, with at least 3–5 years managing payroll in a large organization.
• Experience in the MEP, construction, or field service industry strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of California wage and hour laws and federal payroll regulations.
• Experience:
• Must be bi-lingual in English/Spanish
• Strong experience with ADP WFN and WFM HCM, Learning, Talent and other HR modules.
• Experience in configuring, testing, and implementing ADP features and functionality.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Experience managing a large employee population across multiple locations.
• Skills:
• In-depth knowledge of the ADP WFN and WFM system and its configuration capabilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with various teams and stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving system issues.

Additional Information

• The Payroll Manager will play a key role in supporting HR operations and driving HR technology initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a blend of HR knowledge and technical proficiency, allowing them to optimize ADP's potential and ensure a seamless experience for HR professionals and employees. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and efficiency of the HR function within the organization.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without future employment sponsorship

The expected hiring pay range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 per year. Actual pay within this range will be determined by the candidate's experience, qualifications, and specific skills. AMPAM is growing an we encourage candidates whose expectations are outside of this range to still apply!