Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Upper Lakes Foods•Cloquet, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota, with facilities in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN, and Janesville, WI, distributing food throughout the Upper Midwest. The company specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. The mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier, and community served by bringing the best products, people, and ideas. As the Payroll and Benefits Specialist, you will ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, while supporting the benefits and leave programs they depend on. This role involves processing bi-weekly and off-cycle payroll, maintaining employee records, reconciling payroll and benefit deductions, and supporting audits, reporting, and year-end activities. You will also administer health and retirement benefits, manage enrollments and qualifying life events, support open enrollment and leave administration, partner with brokers and providers, and assist employees with questions related to pay, benefits, deductions, and HR systems. Additionally, you will maintain accurate HRIS data, ensure compliance with payroll and benefit regulations, and help keep processes organized, accurate, and employee-focused.

Requirements

Several years of payroll and/or benefits administration experience.
Comfortable working with HRIS and payroll systems.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
Strong Excel skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.

Nice To Haves

Experience with multi-state payroll.
Experience with ACA administration.
Experience supporting employees across multiple locations.
Professional certifications such as CPP, FPC, SHRM-CP, or PHR.
A degree in Human Resources, Accounting, or Business Administration.

Responsibilities

Process bi-weekly and off-cycle payroll.
Maintain employee records.
Reconcile payroll and benefit deductions.
Support audits, reporting, and year-end activities.
Administer health and retirement benefits.
Manage enrollments and qualifying life events.
Support open enrollment and leave administration.
Partner with brokers and providers.
Help employees navigate questions related to pay, benefits, deductions, and HR systems.
Maintain accurate HRIS data.
Ensure compliance with payroll and benefit regulations.
Help keep processes organized, accurate, and employee-focused.