Senior Payroll Specialist

Creative Modular Construction; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Modular Construction (CMC) is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Finance team and ensure accurate, timely payroll in a multi-state manufacturing environment.

In this hands-on role, you will own payroll processing, compliance, and system improvements, partnering with HR and Finance to support audits, benefits deductions, and seamless pay runs. Experience with ADP, ERP systems, and advanced Excel is required, with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and process improvement.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive payroll experience in a mid-to-large organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Admin, HR, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, tax, deductions, and reconciliations.
• Experience with multi-state payroll environments and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate weekly/bi-weekly payroll including timekeeping and deductions.
• Maintain payroll records, tax elections, direct deposits, and benefit deductions.
• Administer garnishments and other mandatory deductions per regulations.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA and federal/state payroll tax requirements.
• Reconcile payroll to general ledger and support closes.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Serve as subject-matter expert for payroll systems and tax coding.
• Partner with third-party processors; assist with testing and upgrades.
• Develop payroll procedures and documentation aligned with ISO 9001.
• Support audits and provide training to payroll staff.
• Collaborate with HR on onboarding, terminations, and benefits changes.
• Identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and processing times.

Skills

Payroll processing

Regulatory compliance

Excel proficiency

Multi-state payroll

confidentiality

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ADP

Epicor

Microsoft Excel

Payroll systems

Job description

Creative Modular Construction (CMC) is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to join our Finance team and play a critical role in ensuring our employees are paid accurately, timely, and in compliance with all applicable payroll and tax regulations.

This is a hands-on, detail-driven position for a payroll professional who understands that accurate payroll builds employee trust. The Senior Payroll Specialist will serve as a subject-matter expert in payroll systems, tax coding, garnishments, deductions, and payroll compliance while partnering closely with Finance and HR.

What You'll Do

• Process accurate weekly or bi-weekly payroll, including timekeeping, overtime, differentials, bonuses, commissions, leave, deductions, and direct deposits.
• Review and maintain employee payroll records, tax elections, direct deposit information, and benefit deductions.
• Administer garnishments, child support, tax levies, and other mandatory deductions in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, federal and state payroll tax requirements, and company policies.
• Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies while responding to employee questions with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Serve as the internal subject-matter expert for payroll systems, tax coding, fringe benefits, and payroll processes.
• Partner with third-party payroll processors as needed and assist with system testing, upgrades, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, work instructions, process maps, and documentation aligned with ISO 9001 principles.
• Support internal and external financial, tax, and compliance audits.
• Provide guidance, quality review, and training to payroll support staff as assigned.
• Partner with HR on onboarding, terminations, final pay, PTO payouts, and benefits deduction changes.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, controls, and processing times.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and progressive experience.
• 7–10 years of progressive payroll experience in a mid-to-large organization.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll compliance, taxation, deductions, and reconciliations.
• Experience managing complex or multi-state payroll environments preferred.
• Manufacturing, construction, modular, prefab, or high-volume production experience is a plus.
• Experience with ADP or comparable payroll/HRIS platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations, and data validation.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Epicor or another manufacturing ERP is preferred.
• CPP, FPC, PCP, APA membership, PHR, or SHRM-CP credentials are a plus.

Why This Role Matters

Payroll is more than numbers—it is a critical part of our employees' experience and the financial integrity of our organization. In this role, you'll help ensure every employee receives accurate and timely pay while strengthening the systems, processes, and controls that support CMC's continued growth.

You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to a workplace culture focused on second chances, personal growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.

CMC is a faith-driven, second-chance employer. Relevant experience and demonstrated rehabilitation are considered in accordance with our Fair-Chance and Returning Citizen Hiring Policy.