Payroll Manager

Global Payroll Management Institute; Lyndhurst (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NRS is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager in Lyndhurst, NJ to lead payroll across the organization and partner with HR, Operations, and Finance. This role will build payroll structure, policies, and controls for a growing platform while supervising payroll staff and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of payroll experience, strong knowledge of California wage/hour laws, and advanced UKG Payroll proficiency.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of California wage and hour laws.
• Advanced proficiency in UKG Payroll and familiarity with WFM.
• Exceptional attention to detail with auditing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Professional communication skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across HR, Operations, Finance, and field leadership.
• A high level of ownership, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll processing for employees across field and office operations.
• Partner closely with HR, Operations, Finance, and field leadership to proactively resolve payroll questions and support accurate, timely payroll processing.
• Own the audit and validation of payroll data, timecards, labor allocations, and supporting documentation to ensure payroll accuracy before processing.
• Process payroll adjustments, benefit deductions, garnishments, and other payroll-related transactions with accuracy and discretion
• Design, document, and enforce standardized payroll policies, procedures, and controls that establish consistency across all business units.
• Serve as the organization's UKG payroll subject matter expert, optimizing system configuration, reporting, and workflows .
• Oversee payroll tax compliance, quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll tax filings, account reconciliations, and coordination with external tax agencies and vendors.
• Develop payroll metrics and dashboards to monitor payroll accuracy, processing efficiency, compliance, and service levels across all divisions.
• Ensure compliance with California wage and hour law, as well as payroll regulations across all states and jurisdictions.
• Train and manage payroll staff, establishing consistent standards of performance and accountability across locations.

Skills

Payroll experience

California wage/hour laws

UKG Payroll

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ownership & confidentiality

Tools

UKG Payroll

Job description

Company Overview:

NRS is a leading provider of transportation & supply chain solutions. As a family-owned and operated company, NRS has delivered smart logistics solutions to numerous Fortune 500 companies spanning over 70 years. Whether it’s NRT, Keystone, Keystone Fresh, or Keystone Capacity, our innovative energy drives us towards new and valuable solutions for our clients, even as we continuously grow and strengthen our network. We are dedicated to creating a culture that empowers the individual and offers our associates the opportunity to apply their unique skill to the challenges facing our clients. In the office, the warehouse, or on the road, it is this commitment to our innovative spirit that unites us in common mission to push boundaries in the logistics industry.

This role is based out of Lyndhurst, NJ.

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll across the organization and serve as a trusted partner with HR, Operations, Finance, and field leadership. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, compliant payroll while overseeing payroll reporting, prevailing wage compliance, payroll audits, and ongoing process improvement across a multi-state and multi-jurisdictional environment. The ideal candidate will build the payroll structure, policies, and controls for a growing platform rather than simply administer an existing process. Payroll staff will report to this role, making it both a hands‑on technical position and a people‑leadership opportunity.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead payroll processing for employees across field and office operations.


• Partner closely with HR, Operations, Finance, and field leadership to proactively resolve payroll questions and support accurate, timely payroll processing.


• Own the audit and validation of payroll data, timecards, labor allocations, and supporting documentation to ensure payroll accuracy before processing.


• Process payroll adjustments, benefit deductions, garnishments, and other payroll‑related transactions with accuracy and discretion


• Design, document, and enforce standardized payroll policies, procedures, and controls that establish consistency across all business units.


• Serve as the organization's UKG payroll subject matter expert, optimizing system configuration, reporting, and workflows .


• Oversee payroll tax compliance, quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll tax filings, account reconciliations, and coordination with external tax agencies and vendors.


• Develop payroll metrics and dashboards to monitor payroll accuracy, processing efficiency, compliance, and service levels across all divisions.


• Ensure compliance with California wage and hour law, as well as payroll regulations across all states and jurisdictions.


• Train and manage payroll staff, establishing consistent standards of performance and accountability across locations.

Requirements:

• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience.


• Strong knowledge of California wage and hour laws.


• Advanced proficiency in UKG Payroll and familiarity with WFM (Workforce Management).


• Exceptional attention to detail with strong auditing, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.


• Strong organizational skills with excellent follow‑through and the ability to manage competing priorities.


• Professional communication skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across HR, Operations, Finance, and field leadership.


• A high level of ownership, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and discretion.


• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality while exercising sound judgment.