Payroll, Benefits & Leave Specialist

JonnyPops•Plymouth, MN

21d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll, Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll, employee benefits, and leaves of absence for JonnyPops. This role serves as a critical operational partner to HR, Finance, and People Leaders, ensuring that payroll processing, benefit administration, and leave coordination are executed with precision, consistency, and strong internal controls. This position plays a hands-on role in day-to-day execution while also contributing to process improvement, system optimization, and compliance readiness. JonnyPops currently utilizes NetSuite (SuitePeople) as its core HRIS and payroll platform, and this role will be a primary system owner.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
3–7+ years of progressive experience in payroll, benefits, and/or HR operations (level and title to align with experience).
Hands-on experience administering payroll and benefits within an HRIS, NetSuite (SuitePeople) experience strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, wage and hour regulations, and leave requirements.
Experience coordinating leave of absence programs and working with third-party administrators.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.

Nice To Haves

HR or payroll certifications (PHR, SHRM-CP/SCP, CPP) a plus.

Responsibilities

Process bi-weekly payroll for hourly, salaried, and temporary employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws.
Review, validate, and import time and attendance data, resolve discrepancies in partnership with managers and HR.
Maintain employee payroll records, including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and direct deposit information.
Administer regulatory requirements such as wage garnishments, tax levies, and support orders.
Partner with Finance on payroll reconciliations, general ledger alignment, audits, and year-end activities (i.e. W-2s).
Prepare and deliver recurring and ad hoc payroll reports to support business needs and compliance.
Support annual COLA and compensation reviews and ensure timely and accurate pay changes.
Administer all employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and voluntary benefits.
Manage benefit enrollment, life event changes, and terminations within NetSuite and with external vendors.
Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit questions, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution.
Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, including system configuration, rate updates, employee communications, and vendor coordination.
Reconcile monthly carrier invoices, resolve discrepancies, and partner with Finance to ensure timely payment.
Coordinate COBRA administration with third-party administrators and manage workers’ compensation processes and reporting.
Participate in benefit audits and data integrity reviews (i.e. 401(k), workers’ compensation, carrier audits).
Administer all employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-paid leave programs (i.e. Minnesota Paid Leave), workers’ compensation, personal leaves, and company-sponsored leave benefits.
Coordinate leave administration between employees, managers, payroll, benefits providers, and third-party administrators.
Ensure accurate tracking of leave balances, pay coordination, benefit continuation, and return-to-work processes.
Maintain compliant documentation and ensure consistent application of leave policies.
May assume additional duties as necessary
Clearly reflect food safety and quality as part of the JP brand, when planning and executing projects, and while interacting with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
Adhere to systemwide GMPs, as expected of all JP personnel