Payroll Lead

Job Overview

Baldor Specialty Foods is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Payroll Lead to join our payroll team. The Payroll Lead is responsible for overseeing and supporting the day-to-day operations of the payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across multiple states. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines full-cycle payroll processing with operational oversight, team training, issue resolution, and continuous process improvement.

Serving as the primary resource for payroll team members, the Payroll Lead will provide guidance, coordinate workloads, establish consistent procedures, and support the professional development of both new and existing employees. This individual will also serve as the primary backup to the Senior Payroll Manager, helping maintain continuity of payroll operations and supporting departmental priorities.

The ideal candidate brings extensive multi-state payroll experience, advanced knowledge of UKG Ready, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to lead payroll operations in a fast-paced environment with a large, diverse workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations & Processing

• Lead and actively participate in full-cycle weekly payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees across multiple states, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws.
• Coordinate payroll schedules, deadlines, and workload distribution to ensure efficient execution of payroll activities.
• Review payroll registers, exception reports, adjustments, and reconciliations to identify and resolve discrepancies before final approval.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll questions, discrepancies, and processing issues.
• Oversee the accurate processing of bonuses, commissions, retroactive payments, deductions, garnishments, and other payroll adjustments.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Operations to resolve payroll-related issues and ensure accurate employee compensation.

Team Leadership & Development

• Serve as the operational lead for the payroll team, providing day-to-day direction, guidance, and support to ensure consistent and accurate payroll processing.
• Train and onboard new payroll team members, ensuring a thorough understanding of payroll procedures, systems, compliance requirements, and internal controls.
• Provide ongoing training and coaching to existing team members to strengthen technical knowledge, improve accuracy, and promote consistency.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, and payroll process documentation.
• Monitor team workflows, identify knowledge gaps, and recommend improvements to strengthen departmental effectiveness.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and a high standard of service across the payroll function.

Payroll Management Support & Departmental Oversight

• Serve as the primary backup to the Senior Payroll Manager, providing operational leadership and ensuring continuity of payroll processing during their absence.
• Support the Senior Payroll Manager in implementing departmental initiatives, establishing priorities, and maintaining operational controls.
• Assist with monitoring payroll performance, identifying recurring issues, and implementing corrective process improvements.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on complex payroll matters requiring interpretation of company policies and applicable regulations.
• Partner with the Senior Payroll Manager on payroll audits, compliance initiatives, and cross-functional projects.

Payroll Compliance & Tax Administration

• Ensure payroll processing complies with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
• Review and validate multi-state tax configurations, withholding requirements, garnishments, and statutory deductions.
• Audit overtime calculations, shift differentials, premium payments, and other payroll components for accuracy and compliance.
• Support payroll tax filings, quarterly reconciliations, and year-end reporting, including W-2 processing.
• Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to payroll procedures and controls.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.

Payroll Systems & Process Improvement

• Serve as a key payroll subject matter expert for UKG Ready, including payroll processing, time and attendance integration, system configurations, and reporting.
• Troubleshoot payroll system issues and coordinate resolution with HRIS, Finance, and external vendors as needed.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll workflows, strengthen internal controls, and reduce manual processing.
• Lead or support testing and implementation of UKG enhancements, system upgrades, and new payroll functionality.
• Develop standardized processes and recommend automation opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

Payroll Reconciliation, Reporting & Analytics

• Perform and oversee payroll balancing and reconciliation of earnings, deductions, taxes, and net pay.
• Review payroll-related general ledger entries and partner with Finance to resolve discrepancies.
• Support payroll-to-general-ledger integration and automation initiatives.
• Prepare and analyze payroll reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Review complex retroactive calculations, adjustments, and quarter-end and year-end payroll totals.
• Develop and maintain payroll reporting tools and dashboards using UKG Ready and Microsoft Excel.
• Maintain strict confidentiality, data accuracy, and appropriate controls over sensitive employee and payroll information.

Job Qualifications & Requirements

• Strong knowledge of full-cycle, multi-state payroll processing for both hourly and salaried employees.
• Advanced proficiency in UKG Ready, including payroll processing, reporting, troubleshooting, and system functionality.
• Demonstrated experience leading payroll operations, coordinating workloads, and training or mentoring payroll team members.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including FLSA, payroll taxes, garnishments, and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, formulas, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliation, and payroll-to-GL integration.
• Experience developing payroll procedures, improving internal controls, and implementing process efficiencies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to exercise independent judgment and resolve complex payroll issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across HR, Finance, and Operations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict payroll deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with large hourly workforces in food distribution, manufacturing, logistics, or similar industries strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of benefits deductions, retirement plan contributions, and related payroll reporting.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered.
• 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, including significant hands-on experience processing multi-state payroll for organizations with both hourly and salaried employees.
• Previous experience serving as a payroll lead, senior payroll specialist with leadership responsibilities, or similar role preferred.
• Demonstrated experience training team members, coordinating payroll cycles, and resolving complex payroll matters.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.

Technology Skills

• Advanced proficiency in UKG Ready.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with ERP systems and payroll-to-GL integrations; Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred.
• Familiarity with payroll reporting, data analytics, workflow automation, and system implementation or enhancement projects.