PAYROLL MANAGER

Knife River - PressTress, Inc.; Central Point (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401K with Company Match

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Knife River - PressTress, Inc. in Tangent, Oregon is hiring to lead and manage the Payroll department. You will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure accurate pre-payroll and compliant reporting, and collaborate with internal teams and external agencies. This in-office, full-time role requires strong leadership, communication, and payroll expertise.

The position emphasizes SOX controls, regulatory compliance, and process improvement across multi-state payroll and union environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5 years payroll experience managing a weekly, high-volume payroll.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbally.
• High attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent math and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and electronic payroll systems.
• Must have high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidential information.
• Be able to manage people and maintain constructive relationships with others.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall management and direct the day-to-day operations of the Payroll department.
• Review pre-payroll for accuracy of time entry for personnel, wages, fringes and compliance with laws and CNAs.
• Provide weekly/monthly certified payroll reports to internal departments, subcontractors and governmental agencies.
• Manage pay rate tables for public and private work, including BOLI, Davis Bacon and union pay templates.
• Complete monthly union trust reporting and oversee annual audit requests.
• Ensure compliance with wage/hour laws and collective bargaining agreements.
• Refine the payroll service delivery model with input from business unit customers.
• Answer employee questions about payroll and resolve issues.
• Build and maintain good customer relationships with business units.
• Ensure SOX control documentation is designed, tested, and reviewed; liaison with management on payroll issues.
• Research changes in payroll, develop procedures to improve efficiency and service levels.
• Foster ethics, customer service, integrity, teamwork and accountability.
• Communicate payroll standards and laws and assist in manuals and training materials.
• Interact with accounting auditors and respond to requests.
• Operate JD Edwards payroll module and coordinate with payroll shared services staff.
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned.

Job description

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall management and direct the day-to-day operations of the company's Payroll department, including:
  • Balancing competing demands for department resources
  • Interviewing and hiring new team members
  • Providing guidance and feedback to facilitate professional development
  • Annual employee evaluation process
  • Compensation decisions
  • Employee relation issues
• Review pre-payroll for accuracy of time entry for personnel, wages, fringes and compliance with applicable state/federal laws and collective bargaining agreements
• Provide weekly/monthly certified payroll reports to appropriate internal departments, appropriate subcontractors and governmental agencies, and answer questions as needed
• Manage pay rate tables for public and private work, including BOLI, Davis Bacon and union pay templates
• Completion of monthly union trust reporting including accurately reporting hours, wages fringes, vacation payouts, and overseeing annual audit requests
• Ensure compliance with applicable wage/hour laws and collective bargaining agreements
• Continuously refine the payroll service delivery model with input and agreement from our business unit customers
• Answer employee questions of their payroll and research/resolve problems or concerns regarding the payroll function
• Build and maintain good customer relationships with business units
• Ensure adequate design, testing and documentation requirements are met for Sarbanes Oxley compliance. Review and approve control documentation submitted with each payroll processed. Act as primary liaison with business unit management for resolving payroll-related accounting issues ensuring the accurate recording of required financial statement balances.
• Research changes in the payroll profession and develop/refine procedures that will continually improve the operational efficiency and meet service levels of the Payroll Organization
• Foster a culture that promotes ethical practices and legal compliance, excellence in customer service, individual integrity, teamwork and employee innovation and accountability
• Exercise responsibility for compliance with Federal and State payroll tax laws and regulations
• Communicate changes in payroll standards, laws and guidelines to department members and management including assisting in the development of manuals and other training materials
• Continuously assess risk factors related to confidentiality of employee information
• Interact with accounting auditors and respond to auditor requests
• Responsible for the operation of the JD Edwards computer system payroll module and coordination of related functions with KRC payroll shared services staff
• Perform other tasks and special projects as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 5 years payroll experience managing a weekly, high-volume payroll
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbally. This position will interact with all levels of the organization along with external customers and agencies.
• High attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent math and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and electronic payroll systems
• Must have high ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidential information
• Be able to manage people and maintain constructive relationships with others

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related field
• Certified Payroll Experience Highly Preferred
• Experience with a multi-union payroll in the construction industry
• Experience with JD Edwards, Kronos and Heavy Job software
• Minimum of two years managing complex and competing priorities for multiple customers

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge of multi-state payroll, compensation and labor laws.
• Ability to proactively identify and creatively address issues/solve problems is critical
• Proficient use of personal computers and strong knowledge of system applications, particularly in the payroll/human resources area
• Excellent human relations skills in dealing with associates, employees, other department heads, external/internal auditors, and representatives of governmental offices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels within the organization and with business associates outside the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of the employee payroll file information

This position is in office and full-time at our Tangent, Oregon location.

Additional Information

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Years of Service Recognition

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background check.

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Veterans: Put Your Skills to Work with Us!

• Army: Finance Specialist
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• Marines: Finance Technician, Management Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.