Payroll Manager (Compliance) - Global Industrial

Genuine Parts Company; Alabama; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Genuine Parts Company is seeking a Payroll Senior Manager to lead a multi-state payroll team, ensuring timely, accurate processing and strong controls. You will partner with Finance, HR, Benefits, and IT to deliver compliant reporting and efficient operations.

You will optimize payroll processes, handle escalations, and maintain Workday data integrity while driving continuous improvement and adherence to internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field is required.
• 8+ years in payroll/finance with leadership experience in a multi-state environment.
• Strong knowledge of Workday, payroll controls, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with third-party vendors and payroll service providers (e.g., ADP).
• Proficient in analyzing payroll data and generating reports for audits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing across multiple states/countries.
• Ensure compliance with SOX, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and develop the payroll team; manage escalations and issues.
• Coordinate with Finance, Benefits, HR, and IT for reporting and controls.
• Maintain data integrity and confidentiality in Workday systems.
• Improve payroll processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Review GL integration and year-end statements; sign off on changes.

Skills

Workday

Payroll processes

Vendor management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

ADP

Excel

Workday reporting tools

Job description

SUMMARY:

The primary focus of this position is ensuring that the payroll process and related transactions are executed timely and accurately. The Payroll Senior Manager will oversee a team responsible for routine payroll runs as well as off-cycle requests, ensuring compliance with rules/regulations and company policies. The position will constantly seek to optimize payroll processing to improve service levels, minimize errors/exceptions, and deliver a collective team performance inline with predetermined metrics and controls. The Senior Manager will also be responsible for resolving escalations and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure reporting and other operational needs are met.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the overall payroll compliance functions of a large multi-state and multi-country shared services payroll department in carrying out responsibility for payroll preparation/processing for large-scale employee base
• Ensures adherence to the corporate payroll strategy and objectives
• Organizes and oversees planning and execution of the payroll compliance function and related services
• Manages relationship with payroll provider and other outsourcers as applicable
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments (e.g., Finance, Benefits, HR, IT)
• Navigating payroll compliance team through unexpected circumstances and/or instability
• Implements continuous strategic process improvements to maintain the quality, efficiency and overall effectiveness of the payroll functions and system of internal controls, to increase accuracy and decrease risk of fraud and errors
• Directs and evaluates activities of assigned payroll team and employees engaged in reconciliation and payment of employer/employee taxes, maintaining payroll control records, and preparing yearend employee statements
• Oversees and approves the payroll general ledger integration and related activity.
• Reviews system testing and provide final sign-off on all configuration and integration updates that impact payroll compliance
• Maintains payroll standard operating procedures and oversight of the adherence to policy and procedures, as well as internal controls
• Measures both individual and team performance relative to goals and objectives (i.e., operational metrics, adherence to predetermined SLAs, results against project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, personal development goals)
• Ensures compliance with internal policies and controls, as well as compliance with external laws and regulatory guidance (e.g., SOX)
• Responsible for oversight of payroll related accounting journal entries and reconciliations
• Serve as payroll contact for internal audits, external audits, and government audits, as needed
• Maintain data integrity and confidentiality in Workday, adhering to privacy and security policies

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in accounting, finance or related business preferred
• Experience in payroll for a large multi-state company as a manager or other leadership role
• Eight or more years of experience in Payroll, Accounting, Business, Finance, Labor Relations, Process Improvement or related field
• Proficient understanding of payroll processes, controls, financial compliance, and regulations
• Experience managing third party vendors, preferably in a shared services environment
• Experience with payroll applications and service providers (e.g. ADP) is preferred
• Proficient in Workday, with a strong understanding of capabilities and functionality
• Knowledge of Workday reporting tools to generate payroll reports and analyze data for auditing and/or compliance purposes
• Skilled in troubleshooting and resolving payroll-related issues in Workday, such as payroll errors, tax discrepancies, and wage garnishments
• Stay up-to-date with the latest Workday releases and updates, continuously expanding knowledge and skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to communicate with customers, peers, and vendors
• A sense of urgency in solving customer requests to ensure timely resolution and an ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and meet deadlines
• Ability to influence others, identify problems, and recommend a course of action
• Experience in improving payroll processes to maximize efficiency and deliver quality services
• Ability to process complex information and quickly identify innovative solutions that meet both internal and business partner requirements
• Comfortable in handling ambiguity and fluid situations, demonstrating a pragmatic approach
• Experience in providing independent technical guidance and counsel to key stakeholders at various level of experience and hierarchy in the organization

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience with Workday
• Eye for detail, confidence to challenge and ask questions
• Logical, structured and process-orientated thinking
• Ability to document, plan and execute programs
• Established project management skills
• Demonstrated skill in judgement to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problems
• Ability to assess quality of information given and ask pertinent questions to stakeholders
• Ability to offer new solutions to problems outside of set parameters and is able to construct and provide recommendations
• Detail and numerical orientated with good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of accounting principles (i.e., general ledger) and understanding of finance concepts
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Articulate, adaptable, with excellent inter-personal and cross-cultural skills
• Ability to influence, advise and guide others through options and points of view
• Ability to transfer knowledge and develop others through coaching and mentoring
• Ability to work independently by leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others and operating within a defined budget
• Good with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; quick adaptability to systems, tools, and processes

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Motion offers an excellent benefits package which includes options for healthcare coverage, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, vacation, sick, and holiday pay.

GPC conducts its business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. GPC's policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons.