Payroll Specialist

BYD North America; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in California is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist responsible for accurate bi-weekly payroll processing for over 650 employees across multiple states. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise with ADP Workforce Now and knowledge of California labor regulations. Responsibilities include processing payroll components, ensuring compliance, and supporting audits. This position requires a minimum of 3 years of payroll experience, advanced Excel skills, and is on-site Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience in a high-volume, multi-state environment.
• Proficiency in using ADP Workforce Now for payroll processes.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for 650+ employees across multiple U.S. states.
• Ensure compliance with California labor regulations and tax filings.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations and support year-end payroll activities.

Skills

ADP Workforce Now

FLSA overtime regulation

Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources

Tools

ADP Comprehensive Services

Job description

Overview

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly, multi-state payroll for U.S. (and limited Canada) exempt and non-exempt employees. This role supports day-to-day payroll operations, timekeeping administration, benefits deductions, and compliance using ADP Workforce Now.

This is an on-site position, Monday–Friday.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for 650+ employees across multiple U.S. states (and Canada, as applicable), ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Administer payroll components including base pay, bonuses, stock compensation, payroll taxes, 401(k), union dues, wage garnishments, and statutory supplemental benefits
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including California labor regulation
• Process final paychecks in compliance with applicable state laws, ensuring timely and accurate payment
• Accurately calculate and verify payroll adjustments, including overtime, retro pay, wage corrections, PTO payouts, and schedule changes
• Monitor and resolve daily timekeeping exceptions such as missed punches, meal penalties, attestations, and schedule adjustments
• Review and enter new hire data, ensure documentation completeness, and prorate salaries when required
• Partner with ADP Comprehensive Services to troubleshoot and resolve payroll system issues

Reporting, Audits & Year-End

• Prepare and submit quarterly payroll tax filings and required government reports
• Support year-end payroll activities including W-2 processing (and T-4 / RL-1 as applicable)
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits and maintain payroll documentation to support SOX compliance
• Perform payroll reconciliations and accruals for multiple legal entities as part of month-end close

Benefits & Cross-Functional Support

• Ensure accurate processing of benefit deductions and coordination with benefits administration
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners to support payroll-related initiatives and improve the employee experience
• Manage new state and local tax registrations, monitor agency notices, and resolve payroll tax issues promptly

Process Improvement

• Drive payroll process improvements and automation initiatives to reduce manual work
• Participate in system enhancements and conduct end-to-end testing in ADP Workforce Now

Canada Payroll (as applicable)

• Execute Records of Employment (ROEs) in compliance with Canadian labor regulation
• Support RRSP contributions and payroll remittances to Canadian tax agencies

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience, preferably in a high-volume, multi-state environment
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now (required)
• Strong working knowledge of FLSA overtime regulation
• Advanced Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data validation
• Ability to work onsite Monday–Friday

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field
• Prior payroll experience in a manufacturing or union environment strongly preferred