Senior Payroll Specialist

Coats Company; La Vergne (TN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking company is seeking a Sr Payroll Specialist to join their dynamic team. This hybrid role requires a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work, ensuring compliance with payroll laws while delivering exceptional service to over 375 employees across multiple states and Canada. You will manage payroll functions, oversee ADP systems, and support audits, all while identifying process improvements. With a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills, you will build relationships with operational leaders and assist employees with inquiries. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a company dedicated to continuous improvement and employee satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of payroll processing experience in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of US payroll laws and ability to research updates.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll functions with accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and process weekly and bi-weekly payroll, including bonuses.

Skills

Payroll Processing

Multi-State Payroll Expertise

Tax Resolution Skills

Advanced Excel Skills

ADP WorkForce Now

Interpersonal Service

Education

High School Diploma

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

ADP WorkForce Now

SAP Concur

10-Key

Job description

The Sr Payroll Specialist is an integral part of the Coats team, ensuring compliance with all payroll laws and accurate employee and vendor payments each pay period. This role collaborates closely with the Finance and HR teams to deliver excellent customer service while maintaining confidentiality. Payroll responsibilities include managing over 375 employees across various US states and Canada, including filing payroll-related tax returns.

This is a hybrid position requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the LaVergne, TN office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 2 days remote (Monday & Friday), with additional in-office time during month and year-end periods.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage payroll functions with accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies, procedures, and state laws.
• Prepare, review, and process weekly and bi-weekly payroll, including commissions and bonuses, ensuring proper documentation.
• Oversee ADP clocks and systems, review timecard totals, and apply knowledge of leave policies to ensure accuracy.
• Act as system administrator for ADP, managing earnings and deduction codes and system setup.
• Coordinate year-end closing activities with ADP, including employee record verification and W-2 distribution planning.
• Maintain internal controls and support audits.
• Build relationships with operational leaders to enhance support and customer service, responding promptly to inquiries.
• Support month-end closing procedures related to payroll.
• Assist Accounting and Finance with projects as needed.
• Support employees with timecard, LOA, and tax inquiries, providing excellent interpersonal service.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

• Identify process inefficiencies, recommend, and implement improvements.
• Lead system transitions and broader system transformations to meet company objectives.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma required.
• 6-10 years of payroll processing experience in manufacturing, with multi-state payroll expertise and tax resolution skills.
• Knowledge of US payroll laws, with ability to research updates.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Word, and 10-key.
• Experience with ADP WorkForce Now; familiarity with ADP WorkForce Manager preferred.
• Availability to work some holidays for payroll processing, with compensatory time provided.

PREFERRED:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
• Manufacturing or union experience.
• Canadian payroll processing experience.
• Vendor and system sourcing experience.
• Expense report processing and SAP Concur familiarity.
• Project management experience.

The Coats Company is an equal opportunity employer, evaluating qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other legally protected characteristics.