Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Gunvor Group•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the administration, coordination, and execution of the Company's payroll, benefits, and Human Resources functions for North America. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, benefits administration, and HRIS management while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The position oversees day-to-day payroll and HR operations, including employee records, benefits enrollment, leave administration support, payroll reconciliations, compliance reporting, payroll-related accounting activities, and the administration of HR policies, procedures, and programs. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist serves as a key resource for employee payroll and benefits inquiries, collaborates with internal departments and external vendors, supports HR initiatives and employee relations, and drives process improvements and operational efficiencies across payroll, benefits, HR systems, and related accounting functions. The role also partners with HR teams across the Americas to promote consistency, collaboration, and operational synergies where appropriate.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll administration and employee benefits.
Forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards, good communication skills, good judgment and strong operational focus.
Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of employee information and HR records and actions.
A well-organized and self-directed individual who is also a team player.
A decisive individual who possesses a strategic focus as well as an operational implementation and detail-oriented perspective.
Working knowledge of federal and state labor, payroll, and employment laws.
Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
3-5 years’ experience in an HR/Payroll role.
Strong financial acumen and financial analysis skills.

Nice To Haves

Workday and ADP Experience Preferred

Responsibilities

Process payroll accurately and on schedule using ADP.
Maintain employee payroll and benefits information within ADP, HRIS, and personnel files.
Process payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, bonuses, deductions, and other payroll transactions.
Perform payroll reconciliations and assist with payroll-related accounting and reporting.
Administer the benefit plans and programs which include group health plan, dental, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), COBRA, vacation, sick leave, family medical leave, leave of absence and service awards, etc.
Maintain benefit records, reconcile carrier invoices, monitor benefit costs, and ensure accurate payroll deductions.
Communicate benefit programs and answer employee questions regarding payroll and benefits.
Assist in coordinating benefits open Enrollment.
Act as primary liaison with benefit carriers to resolve problems and facilitate benefit renewals.
Coordinate payroll and benefit related audits including 401(k), worker’s compensation, FSLA, etc.
Prepare and manage 401(k) discrimination test data for year-end testing and audits.
Complete and maintain I-9 documentation and E-Verify compliance.
Enter and maintain integrity of the data contained in the HRIS database and compile reports from database as needed.
Create and maintain employee personnel folders.
Work closely with accounting team for payroll reporting.
Create HR Payroll reports for Gunvor entities.
Maintain current knowledge of US payroll, employment, and labor laws.
Understand the differences between domestic (US) and international (LATAM) policies and programs, and help coordinate the integration of all such programs when needed.
Prepare HR audit requests from the Labor Department.
Keep all payroll policies and procedures updated.
Manage and track benefits invoicing and costs to ensure control and accountability.
Assist in the development and implementation of all strategic HR management programs (i.e. employee involvement, hiring, promotional practices, wages structures, and proactive employee relations).
Coordinate and work with HRBP, HR Generalist, Recruitment and HR Operations Manager.