Purpose of the role

To run payroll and benefits administration for Spectro Alloys accurately and on time, and to provide generalist support to the HR Director across the employment lifecycle.

This role brings in house work that is currently covered by a contractor. It gives the company a permanent, governed owner for payroll processing, benefits administration and employee data, and gives the HR Director a second pair of hands on everything from onboarding to employee questions on the floor.

Scope and accountabilities

Payroll

• Processes the weekly payroll from end to end: time import, review against approved records, calculation, submission and distribution.
• Reviews and corrects time records against supervisor-approved time, and resolves discrepancies before processing.
• Administers pay changes, new hires and terminations in the payroll system, in each case against an approved authorization from HR.
• Calculates and processes final pay in line with Minnesota timing requirements.
• Administers garnishments, child support withholding orders and tax levies: set-up, calculation of limits, remittance and response to the issuing court or agency.
• Manages payroll tax set-up, agency notices, quarterly filings and year-end W-2 processing with the payroll provider.
• Produces payroll registers, labor cost reports and audit support, including workers compensation and 401(k) audits.
• Completes employment and income verifications.

Benefits

• Administers the benefits platform: enrollment processing, qualifying life events, terminations and carrier files.
• Reconciles carrier invoices against enrollment and resolves discrepancies.
• Administers COBRA and flexible spending accounts with the relevant vendors.
• Supports open enrollment: system set-up, materials, employee meetings across all shifts and enrollment completion.
• Responds to employee questions on deductions and coverage, and refers decisions about plans or eligibility to the HR Director.

Leave and absence support

• Calculates and codes pay during leave, including Minnesota Paid Leave and disability offsets, top-ups and hour coding.
• Provides wage information to the leave administrator and to the workers compensation carrier.
• Maintains accrual balances for paid time off and earned sick and safe time, and ensures the system reflects policy.
• Does not determine leave eligibility or designation, which sits with the HR Director.

HR generalist support

• Completes new hire onboarding paperwork, including I-9 verification, and runs the HR portion of orientation when required.
• Maintains employee records and the HR information system, and is accountable for data integrity.
• Produces workforce reporting from the system for the HR Director and for corporate requirements.
• Acts as a first point of contact for employees on pay, benefits and system questions, in person on the floor as well as at the HR office.
• Supports the HR Director on employee relations documentation, policy administration and compliance record keeping.
• Provides backup for recruiting and onboarding activity at peak times.

What the role is measured on

• Payroll accuracy and timeliness, with errors tracked and resolved
• Compliance with payroll tax, garnishment and wage payment requirements
• Benefits enrollment accuracy and invoice reconciliation
• Integrity of employee data in the HR system
• Responsiveness to employees
• Clean audit outcomes

Knowledge and experience required

• Three to five years of payroll processing experience, including multi-state or multi-rate environments, shift differentials and overtime.
• Working knowledge of federal and Minnesota wage and hour law, including payment timing, deductions and garnishment limits.
• Benefits administration experience, including enrollment, carrier files, COBRA and flexible spending accounts.
• Experience with an integrated HR and payroll system. Paylocity preferred.
• Comfortable working with hourly employees on a production floor.
• Spanish language skills are an advantage, as roughly half of the workforce speaks Spanish.
• Payroll certification such as the Fundamental Payroll Certification or Certified Payroll Professional is preferred.