Benefits & Payroll Administrator (EAP)

Ecology Auto Parts•Cerritos, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. is seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Administrator to manage accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and employee benefits administration across affiliated entities. The position performs hands-on payroll processing through Paylocity while coordinating and overseeing assigned payroll and benefits support activities. Its scope includes payroll reconciliation, benefits administration, HRIS data integrity, regulatory compliance, internal controls, process improvements, and resolution of complex payroll and benefits matters. The role works with Human Resources, Finance, operational management, employees, benefits carriers, brokers, retirement-plan administrators, and other vendors. It is based onsite at the corporate office in Cerritos, California, and reports to the Human Resources Business Partner. The position is nonexempt and full-time, with regular Monday-to-Friday business hours from 0800 to 1700, including an unpaid 60-minute meal period. Scheduling flexibility and additional hours, including overtime, may be required to meet payroll deadlines and operational needs; overtime is compensated in accordance with applicable law. The anticipated compensation is $26.00–$34.00 per hour, subject to final company approval. The company offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, and life insurance, subject to applicable plan terms. The position is primarily in a professional corporate office environment, and occasional local travel to company locations may be required.

Requirements

At least five years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience, including hands-on, end-to-end payroll processing for a complex, multi-site or multi-entity workforce.
Hands-on experience processing payroll through Paylocity.
Direct experience administering employee benefits, including enrollments, eligibility, deductions, carrier coordination, and discrepancy resolution.
Professional fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance information verbally and in writing in both languages.
Working knowledge of California wage-and-hour requirements, payroll practices, overtime calculations, final-pay obligations, and recordkeeping.
Proficiency with Paylocity, Microsoft Office Suite, payroll reconciliation and reporting, HRIS maintenance, and timekeeping systems.
Experience evaluating payroll and benefits discrepancies, maintaining internal controls, and recommending operational or compliance improvements.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, resolve complex administrative matters, and implement corrective actions within delegated authority.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and confidentiality.
Ability to independently manage competing priorities, meet critical deadlines, and coordinate payroll and benefits activities across multiple entities.
Experience collaborating with Finance, insurance carriers, benefits brokers, and external service providers.
Ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to accurately record all hours worked and comply with timekeeping, meal-period, rest-period, and overtime procedures.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; equivalent directly relevant experience will be considered.
Experience supporting transportation, trucking, logistics, manufacturing, or another distributed operational workforce.
Working knowledge of prevailing-wage and certified-payroll requirements.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
Experience with ACA reporting, COBRA administration, 401(k) deductions, and employee benefits reconciliation.

Responsibilities

Prepare, process, validate, and reconcile recurring Paylocity payroll for employees across affiliated entities, departments, locations, and classifications.
Coordinate and oversee payroll activities performed by assigned support personnel, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and timely completion.
Administer payroll transactions for hires, terminations, transfers, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, deductions, taxes, and direct deposits.
Review timekeeping, overtime calculations, meal and rest period premiums, approvals, and applicable wage-and-hour requirements.
Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, payment corrections, and system issues.
Prepare payroll reconciliations, exception reports, audit documentation, and general-ledger information in coordination with Finance.
Coordinate payroll funding, deadlines, and submissions while maintaining financial authorization controls.
Support prevailing-wage and certified-payroll reporting, payroll tax administration, year-end processing, W-2 reconciliation, and record retention.
Develop and maintain payroll procedures, calendars, internal controls, and continuity processes.
Administer medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k) benefits programs.
Coordinate new-hire enrollment, open enrollment, qualifying life events, eligibility changes, and employee terminations.
Maintain benefits records in Paylocity and applicable carrier or vendor systems.
Reconcile benefits deductions, carrier invoices, enrollment records, and payroll deductions; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Provide administrative assistance and respond to employee benefits inquiries, enrollment questions, and coverage matters.
Coordinate with insurance brokers, benefits carriers, retirement-plan administrators, and third-party vendors.
Support benefits renewals, employee communications, ACA reporting, COBRA administration, and other applicable benefits compliance requirements.
Evaluate and recommend improvements to benefits administration, accuracy, efficiency, vendor coordination, and employee service.
Assess payroll and benefits practices across affiliated entities and recommend improvements to controls, procedures, and compliance processes.
Exercise independent judgment in assessing complex discrepancies, operational risks, and corrective-action alternatives within delegated authority.
Develop, implement, and maintain standardized procedures, audit protocols, and operational controls with Human Resources and Finance.
Analyze payroll and benefits trends, recurring discrepancies, compliance exposure, and operational inefficiencies; communicate findings and recommendations to leadership.
Coordinate payroll and benefits audits, agency inquiries, documentation requests, and authorized corrective actions.
Apply relevant California and federal wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, meal and rest period premiums, paid sick leave, final pay, and recordkeeping.
Coordinate with HR leadership on leave-related payroll adjustments, benefits continuation, and applicable deductions; escalate significant concerns requiring executive, legal, or financial authorization.
Evaluate payroll and benefits systems, vendor services, and administrative workflows and recommend improvements.
Maintain accurate employee information, payroll records, and benefits data in Paylocity; process authorized personnel changes, status updates, compensation adjustments, and benefits elections.
Review HRIS records, investigate discrepancies, coordinate corrective actions, generate and analyze reports, and support HRIS enhancements and data-integrity audits.
Maintain confidential employee records in accordance with applicable privacy and retention requirements.
Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, operational management, employees, and external providers to support efficient administration.
Coordinate assigned support activities, establish priorities, monitor work quality and deadlines, and manage competing responsibilities.
Recommend and implement authorized administrative improvements that strengthen accuracy, compliance, accountability, and employee service.
Perform other related duties consistent with the position’s payroll, benefits, and administrative responsibilities.