Payroll Specialist

International Minerals Carlsbad, LLC; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

International Minerals Carlsbad, LLC is seeking an experienced On-site Payroll Specialist to join our Human Resources and Payroll team in New Mexico. You will process bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll for 200–500 employees across a 24/7 industrial environment, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.

You will maintain payroll records, audit transactions, and coordinate year-end activities while partnering with HR, Finance, and operations to optimize payroll processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience for 200+ employees.
• Experience with bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles.
• Experience with Kronos UKG Workforce timekeeping system.
• Familiarity with wage and hour laws and payroll tax reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for 200–500 employees.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with policies and wage/hour laws.
• Review payroll transactions: hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, bonuses, deductions, tax withholdings.
• Audit payroll reports and resolve discrepancies before processing.
• Coordinate payroll balancing, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
• Serve as the primary payroll contact for employees and managers.
• Educate employees on payroll policies, deductions, timekeeping, and tax matters.
• Timekeeping maintenance and audit using Kronos (UKG Workforce).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

Skills

Payroll processing

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Time management

Remote work capability

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Kronos UKG Workforce

Engage PEO

Job description

We are seeking an experienced "On-site" Payroll Specialist to join our growing Human Resources and Payroll team. This position supports a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees operating in a 24/7 industrial environment across the state of New Mexico.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, customer-focused payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands the importance of accuracy, compliance, and exceptional service. This role serves as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and Human Resources by ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Candidates with experience supporting organizations in the mining, oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, utilities, or other industrial sectors are highly encouraged to apply.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees.
• Maintain payroll records while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable wage and hour laws.
• Review payroll transactions for accuracy, including new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings.
• Audit payroll reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll processing.
• Coordinate payroll balancing, reconciliations, and year-end activities.

Employee & Manager Support:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and managers.
• Provide exceptional customer service by responding promptly and professionally to payroll inquiries.
• Educate employees on payroll policies, deductions, timekeeping, and tax-related matters.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership to ensure payroll accuracy.

Timekeeping Administration:

• Maintain and audit employee timekeeping records using Kronos (UKG Workforce).
• Troubleshoot timekeeping discrepancies and partner with managers to ensure accurate approvals.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, shift differentials, premium pay, and leave balances.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including New Mexico wage and hour requirements.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for audits.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Support annual payroll activities, including W‑2 processing and payroll tax reporting.

Continuous Improvement:

• Recommend process improvements that increase payroll accuracy, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Assist with payroll system enhancements, testing, and implementation initiatives.
• Participate in special payroll and HR projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience supporting organizations with 200+ employees.
• Experience processing both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles.
• Experience with Kronos (UKG Workforce) timekeeping systems is required.
• Engage PEO is a plus.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll best practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work remotely while maintaining regular business hours aligned with the Mountain Time Zone.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.
• Experience with Engage PEO or similar Professional Employer Organization (PEO) payroll platforms preferred.
• Experience processing payroll in New Mexico.
• Experience within the mining, oil & gas, industrial construction, manufacturing, utilities, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, timekeeping systems, and payroll reporting.