Payroll & Tax Specialist II

Summary

The Payroll & Tax Specialist II independently administers payroll, payroll tax, benefits, and employment eligibility (Form I-9/E-Verify) processes for HLBMA LLC, with a smaller portion of time supporting general HR operations. This is a Level II role: the incumbent works with a high degree of autonomy on recurring and non-routine payroll, tax, and benefits matters, exercises judgment in resolving discrepancies and escalations, and serves as a key point of accuracy and compliance for payroll-related processes. This role requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, organization, analytical ability, and attention to detail, and works closely with employees, managers, Finance, benefit providers, payroll vendors, government agencies, and other HR team members.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute full-cycle payroll processing, preparation, validation, and submission in accordance with established schedules
• Review wages, deductions, tax withholdings, shift premiums, and overtime for accuracy; investigate and resolve payroll exceptions and discrepancies
• Reconcile payroll registers, timekeeping, deductions, and taxes; coordinate payroll approval and funding with Finance
• Perform payroll tax reporting, reconciliation, and quarterly/year-end validation with the payroll provider; review W-2s and coordinate corrections
• Research and resolve payroll tax notices and agency correspondence in partnership with the payroll provider
• Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, and other legally required deductions, including setup, remittance, and recordkeeping
• Maintain payroll calendars, reconciliation documentation, and accurate payroll data within the HRIS/payroll system
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and dashboards; support payroll audits, system testing, and process improvement
• Administer employee benefit processes, including new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, and benefit changes
• Coordinate with benefit providers on enrollment, eligibility, and carrier-related matters
• Review benefit information for accuracy and resolve deduction or eligibility discrepancies
• Complete and verify Form I-9, including reverification and document retention, per company procedure and applicable law
• Process and monitor E-Verify cases in accordance with federal requirements
• Support audits and periodic reviews of Form I-9 and employment eligibility records
• Assist with new hire onboarding and employee documentation as needed
• Support employee data maintenance within HRIS platforms
• Support general HR documentation, reporting, and special projects as assigned
• Maintain confidentiality of employee, payroll, tax, benefits, and business information at all times
• Maintain regular, reliable on-site attendance and adhere to 5S3R workplace standards
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered in lieu of a degree
• CPP, FPC, SHRM-CP, PHR, or other payroll/HR-related certification preferred

Experience

• 3+ years of payroll administration/processing experience required, including payroll tax, reconciliation, garnishments, and year-end processes
• Experience supporting employee benefits and Form I-9/E-Verify administration preferred
• Experience processing payroll in a high-volume, multi-shift manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform required

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship, now or in the future. Candidates must possess current, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

Skills

• Working knowledge of payroll processing, wage administration, deductions, taxation, and recordkeeping
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills; able to identify discrepancies and research root causes independently
• Ability to interpret payroll, tax, benefit, and garnishment documentation accurately
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency (formulas, lookups, reconciliation, data validation)
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, benefits, and timekeeping systems
• Strong confidentiality, judgment, and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and strict payroll/tax/benefits deadlines with minimal oversight
• Ability to work flexible hours during payroll processing, quarter-end, year-end, audits, and system implementations

Physical Requirements

• Sit and work at a computer for prolonged periods; maintain concentration during repetitive data-entry tasks
• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office and operational areas
• Occasionally handle or move office materials, files, and records
• Travel between meeting locations and company facilities as needed

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based environment within a manufacturing facility
• Frequent use of computers, payroll/HRIS/benefit systems, and communication technologies
• Regular exposure to confidential employee, payroll, tax, and business information requiring discretion
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing/operational areas requiring PPE
• Flexibility in work schedule required during payroll, quarter-end, year-end, audits, and system implementations

HLBMA LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer that values the diversity of its workforce.