HR Associate III (Payroll & Benefits)

Lotte Biologics•Syracuse, NY

1d•$25 - $37•Onsite

About The Position

The HR Associate III (Payroll & Benefits) supports payroll processing and employee benefits administration. The role processes payroll transactions, maintains employee records, responds to employee inquiries, and supports day-to-day benefits administration while following established procedures and guidelines. It helps ensure accurate and timely payroll and benefits activities, data integrity, confidentiality, and strong customer service. The position works with employees, managers, vendors, Finance, and Human Resources colleagues to support operations, resolve routine issues, and contribute to a positive employee experience. Payroll is the primary responsibility. The role processes the full payroll cycle for all employee groups; administers payroll-related employee transactions; performs audits, reconciliations, balancing, and controls; reviews timekeeping records; supports compliance; responds to inquiries; prepares reports and audit documentation; maintains records and procedures; coordinates with stakeholders; and contributes to approved process improvements. Benefits administration is a secondary responsibility. The role handles routine enrollments, qualifying life event changes, eligibility updates, and terminations; responds to routine employee questions; coordinates benefit deductions and payroll-to-benefit reconciliations; supports open enrollment and employee communications; assists with vendor file audits, carrier updates, and reporting; and maintains benefit records and data integrity. Complex benefit issues, leave matters, accommodation requests, and policy questions are escalated to the Benefits & Leave Manager. The role also maintains accurate employee data in HRIS, payroll, and benefit systems, preserves confidentiality, prepares reports and process documentation, supports departmental improvements, cross-trains with HR Operations colleagues, and provides backup and other operational support as needed. The position is primarily performed in a professional office environment, with regular interaction across corporate, manufacturing, laboratory, quality, and operational functions. It may require periodic access to manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, and other operational areas, including cGMP-regulated environments, in accordance with safety procedures, gowning requirements, and applicable policies. The work may involve changing priorities, deadlines, confidential matters, varying noise and environmental conditions in operational areas, and occasional support of activities outside standard business hours. The position is based in East Syracuse, New York. The listed pay range is $25.48–$36.89 USD, with a target bonus of 5%.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
One or more years of experience in payroll administration, benefits administration, human resources, or a related HR operations function.
Experience processing transactions, maintaining records, and handling confidential information in a professional environment.
Basic knowledge of payroll and benefits administration practices and applicable company policies and procedures.
Working knowledge of payroll and benefits administration practices.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify process improvement opportunities.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong customer service orientation and commitment to a positive employee experience.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to follow established policies, procedures, and work instructions.
Computer proficiency and technical aptitude, including advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
Experience with HRIS/payroll systems and employee data management.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Professionalism, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.
Strong teamwork, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
Self-directed approach, including ability to investigate issues and recommend practical solutions.
Continuous improvement mindset and ability to support process optimization initiatives.
Ability to perform prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation, including frequent keyboard, mouse, and telephone use.
Ability to move throughout office, manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, and other facility areas.
Ability to occasionally lift and transport files, office supplies, presentation materials, or event-related items weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to attend meetings, employee events, orientations, and training sessions, which may require extended periods of standing.
Ability to follow company safety procedures, gowning requirements, and applicable policies when accessing operational areas.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Experience with payroll, HRIS, and timekeeping systems such as Paylocity, Workday, ADP, UKG, or similar platforms.
Experience creating reports, analyzing HR data, and supporting process improvement initiatives.
HR certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Process the full payroll cycle and ensure accurate, timely payroll execution for all employee groups.
Administer payroll transactions for hires, terminations, pay changes, transfers, promotions, and leave-related adjustments.
Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, balancing activities, and payroll controls.
Review timekeeping records, identify discrepancies, and escalate or help resolve payroll errors.
Follow payroll procedures and support compliance with regulations, tax requirements, wage and hour laws, and company policies.
Respond to employee and manager payroll inquiries and escalate complex issues.
Prepare and maintain payroll reports, support year-end activities, and assist with audit documentation.
Maintain payroll records, procedures, and documentation in accordance with guidelines.
Coordinate with Finance, HR, and other stakeholders to support payroll accuracy and compliance.
Provide input on payroll process improvements and assist with approved changes.
Administer routine benefits activities, including enrollments, qualifying life event changes, eligibility updates, and terminations.
Respond to routine benefits questions and provide day-to-day support on programs, enrollment, and eligibility.
Coordinate benefit deductions and conduct regular payroll-to-benefit reconciliation reviews.
Support open enrollment administration, employee communications, and enrollment processing.
Assist with vendor file audits, carrier updates, and benefits reporting.
Escalate complex benefit issues, leave matters, accommodation requests, and policy questions to the Benefits & Leave Manager.
Maintain accurate employee benefit records and support benefits data integrity in HR systems.
Maintain accurate employee data in HRIS, payroll, and benefits systems and process employee changes promptly.
Maintain confidentiality of payroll, benefits, and employee information.
Prepare reports, maintain process documentation, and assist with departmental process improvement initiatives.
Cross-train with HR Operations team members, provide backup support, and assist with administrative and operational activities as needed.
Support employee services and HR programs across office, manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, and other facility areas.
Occasionally support employee engagement activities, training programs, audits, inspections, onboarding events, and other HR initiatives outside standard business hours.