Payroll Operations Manager

CoorsTek; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CoorsTek in Golden, CO, seeks an experienced Payroll Operations Manager to own U.S. payroll across multiple states. You will ensure accurate, compliant processing, calendar management, tax and timekeeping, and W-2 issuance while optimizing with automation and AI-enabled tools.

You will serve as the subject matter expert on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos, drive efficiency, and partner with HR, IT, Finance, and plant leadership on system releases and process changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible multi-state U.S. payroll and timekeeping.
• Hands-on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos experience required.

Responsibilities

• Own U.S. payroll operations across multiple states and ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Manage payroll calendar, quarter-end and year-end close, and W-2 issuance.
• Configure and administer Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos integrations while maintaining data integrity.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and wage-and-hour rules.
• Lead audits, maintain internal controls, and manage payroll vendors.

Skills

Multi-state U.S. payroll

Payroll tax compliance

Audit readiness

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field

Tools

Workday Payroll

UKG/Kronos Workforce Management

Excel

Job description

Payroll Operations ManagerAs the Payroll Operations Manager, you will own U.S. payroll operations for a multi-state manufacturing workforce: accurate and compliant processing, payroll tax, timekeeping, vendor management, internal controls, and audit readiness. You will serve as the company’s subject matter expert on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos Workforce Management, and drives efficiency through automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. Works independently with guidance in only the most complex or precedent-setting matters.# Roles & Responsibilities* Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant U.S. payroll across multiple states.* Own the payroll calendar end to end — deadlines, approvals, funding, quarter-end and year-end close, tax reconciliations, and W-2 issuance.* Own configuration, administration, and integration of Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos, maintaining data integrity across time, earnings, deductions, taxes, and garnishments.* Interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, shift premiums, garnishments, and deductions affecting an hourly workforce.* Build and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; lead payroll audits and keep documentation audit-ready.* Manage payroll vendors — service levels, regulatory filings, reconciliations, and issue resolution.* Build reporting and exception dashboards that surface anomalies, trends, and compliance risk before payroll runs.* Investigate complex payroll issues, resolve them, and correct the root cause.* Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and plant leadership on system releases, testing, integrations, acquisitions, and process changes.* Apply automation and AI-enabled tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience within privacy and compliance requirements. # Education* Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. # Experience* 8+ years of progressively responsible multi-state U.S. payroll and timekeeping experience, including payroll service delivery in a shared services, outsourced, or vendor-managed model.* Hands-on Workday Payroll experience — required.* Hands-on UKG/Kronos Workforce Management experience — required.* Payroll tax compliance, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, deductions, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and audits.* Payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or process transitions.* Preferred: large hourly manufacturing or industrial workforce experience; CPP certification; SOX control environment. # Functional / Technical Skills* Expert knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations.* Advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos.* Advanced payroll accounting — reconciliations, general ledger impacts, funding, and controls.* Strong analytical skills; identifies anomalies and performs root cause analysis.* Uses AI, automation, and reporting tools effectively while protecting compliance and data privacy.* Influences stakeholders and leads cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.* Advanced Excel and reporting capability.* Clear communicator and project manager; works effectively across cultures, functions, and sites.**Target Hiring Range**: USD 0.00 - USD 0.00