HR Operations & Payroll Analyst

FreshPet•Ennis, TX

About The Position

The HR Operations Analyst is responsible for supporting and optimizing HR operational processes, with primary ownership of end-to-end payroll administration and employee support related to Total Rewards (compensation, benefits, equity, and leave programs). This role partners with HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure accurate payroll processing, regulatory compliance, data integrity, and continuous process improvement across HR operations.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in payroll administration, HR operations, HRIS, or related Human Resources functions.
Experience processing multi-state payroll and understanding applicable wage and hour regulations.
Working knowledge of payroll, benefits administration, and employee data management practices.
Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., Dayforce, ADP or similar).
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
Experience supporting audits, compliance activities, and payroll reconciliations.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), FPC, SHRM-CP, or PHR certification.
Experience supporting publicly traded companies and SOX compliance requirements.
Experience with HR process improvement, automation, and workflow optimization.
Experience using reporting and analytics tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or HR reporting platforms.

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of all payroll-related activities.
Process employee time and attendance records, bonuses, equity, and other payroll-related transactions.
Perform payroll reconciliations and support payroll reporting activities.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding compensation, benefits, equity, and payroll.
Respond to employee inquiries regarding HR matters and provide timely and accurate information.
Support annual compensation review, bonus administration, and open enrollment activities.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations, payroll tax requirements, and company policies.
Conduct regular audits to identify and resolve payroll discrepancies or data issues.
Support internal and external audits, including SOX controls and documentation requirements.
Develop and analyze HR and payroll metrics, identifying trends and recommending improvements.
Create and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
Identify opportunities for process improvement in HR and Payroll operations to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Support HR technology implementations, upgrades, testing, and system enhancements.
Partner with cross-functional teams to streamline HR and Payroll processes.