Payroll & Operation Specialist

Spirax-Sarco Engineering; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirax Sarco Engineering is seeking a Payroll & Operations Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll processing, ensure accurate financial reconciliations, and uphold regulatory compliance. This role collaborates with HR to align employee data with payroll activities while strengthening internal controls.

Responsibilities include journal entries, close support, tax handling, and 401(k) coordination, with a strong emphasis on data integrity and cross-functional partnership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• 3–5 years payroll experience.
• Experience with ADP.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll and compliance.
• Experience with reconciliations and audits.
• Proficiency in payroll systems and Excel.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for multiple earnings types.
• Validate payroll transactions in partnership with HR.
• Maintain compliance with wage and hour laws and payroll regulations.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and support close activities.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Oversee payroll taxes, garnishments, and deductions.
• Coordinate 401(k) funding and reconciliation.
• Maintain accurate employee data across HRIS/payroll systems.

Skills

Payroll experience

ADP

Multi-state payroll

Reconciliations

Excel

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

Payroll & Operation Specialist

Department: Finance

Reports To: Controller (Finance)

Dotted Line: Vice President, Human Resources

FLSA Status: Exempt or Non-Exempt (based on role scope)

Key Partnerships: Human Resources, Accounting, External Payroll Vendors

Location: Blythewood, South Carolina (Columbia South Carolina area)

Position Summary

The Payroll & Operations Specialist is a Finance-based role responsible for the accurate execution of payroll, financial reconciliation, and compliance with regulatory and accounting requirements. This role maintains a strong dotted-line relationship to Human Resources to ensure alignment of employee data, payroll-impacting transactions, and employee experience, while upholding financial controls and reporting integrity.

Payroll Administration & Financial Management

• End-to-end ownership of payroll processing, including all earnings types (standard, variable)
• Validate all payroll-impacting transactions in partnership with HR
• Maintain compliance with wage and hour laws, payroll regulations, and internal policies
• Perform tasks related to funding, accruals, and reconciliations
• Prepare payroll journal entries and support close activities
• Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies
• Oversee payroll taxes, garnishments, and deductions
• Coordinate 401(k) funding and reconciliation

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Prepare payroll accruals and support financial close timelines
• Ensure strong internal controls aligned with compliance requirements
• Support internal and external audits
• Maintain data integrity across systems
• Provide reporting for forecasting and workforce planning

HR Systems & Operational Alignment

• Maintain accurate employee data across HRIS and payroll systems
• Partner with HR to align data and transactions
• Support lifecycle transactions (hire, change, LOA, termination)
• Support onboarding and offboarding from payroll perspective
• Manage system access provisioning and removal
• Maintain SOP documentation

Stakeholder Support & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as primary contact for payroll inquiries
• Act as liaison between Finance, HR, and vendors
• Identify process improvements
• Support cross-functional initiatives

Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 3-5 years payroll experience
• Experience with ADP
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll and compliance
• Experience with reconciliations and audits
• Proficiency in payroll systems and Excel
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail

Qualifications – Preferred

• Experience in SOX environment
• Advanced Excel skills
• Fidelity PSW experience
• Experience in multi-entity organizations

Core Competencies

• Financial accuracy and controls mindset
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Clear communication
• Continuous improvement

About Us & Why Join Us

Spirax Sarco is a global engineering organization specializing in steam and thermal energy management solutions that support critical industrial processes across sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Our mission is to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions that help customers improve reliability, reduce energy use and emissions, and meet regulatory and sustainability goals. Operating in over 60 countries with global manufacturing and locally based engineering teams, we combine strong engineering expertise, innovation, and a deep customer focus to deliver tailored solutions and measurable results.

Joining Spirax Sarco means being part of a purpose‑driven, customer‑centric organization where your work makes a real global impact. We invest in our people through meaningful work, continuous learning, and clear development pathways, offering opportunities to collaborate with skilled professionals and tackle real‑world challenges. Guided by a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, safety, and wellbeing, we foster a supportive and inclusive culture where people are empowered to grow, take ownership, and build rewarding, sustainable careers while helping shape safer, more efficient, and more sustainable industries worldwide.