Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Frontier Cooperative • Lincoln, NE

7d • Onsite

About The Position

At Frontier Cooperative, we believe agriculture is more than a business, it's a way of life. As an agricultural leader serving Nebraska's farming communities, we provide a comprehensive range of grain, agronomy, feed, and energy products and services. But what sets us apart is how we do it: with integrity, with quality, and with a deep commitment to the communities we're proud to call home. We're looking for people who share those values and want to grow with us. We're seeking a detail-oriented Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our Lincoln, NE team. This role is responsible for accurate payroll processing, benefits administration, leave management, and retirement programs for a workforce of 450+ employees.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of experience processing payroll and/or benefits
• Strong knowledge of employment and wage laws, payroll practices, and leave administration
• Solid understanding of accounting fundamentals and payroll best practices
• Proficiency with payroll/timekeeping systems and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills
• Ability to document processes and stay current with industry trends

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using BambooHR
• Verify and process working hours, overtime, leave, garnishments, taxes, retirement contributions, and insurance deductions
• Calculate payroll amounts including overtime, bonuses, and deductions; generate and maintain payroll records
• Support correct tax processing and reporting of fringe benefits
• Train managers on timesheet adjustments, approvals, and leave administration; provide ongoing support
• Onboard new employees to timekeeping systems including time entry, leave requests, and timecard approvals
• Assist with onboarding to ensure payroll and benefits paperwork is completed accurately through the HRIS system
• Coordinate annual open enrollment and monthly new-hire enrollments for timely and accurate benefit elections
• Audit benefit enrollments and provide eligibility files to insurance vendors
• Respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding benefits, enrollments, life events, and plan provisions
• Assist employees with benefits claims and plan changes due to qualifying life events
• Process and administer leave of absence requests including medical, disability, and FMLA
• Interpret and apply FMLA and ADA requirements related to leaves and accommodations
• Lead workers' compensation claims including first report of injury, coordination with insurance carriers, and communication with leadership
• Respond to 401(k) inquiries related to enrollment, contributions, and plan changes; manage annual catch-up contribution enrollments
• Participate in annual 401(k), workers' compensation, and payroll audits
• Manage payroll functions for the defined benefit program including uploads, audits, and coordination with third-party administrators
• Prepare and distribute required reports and plan documentation

Benefits

• Cooperative pension plan
• 401(k) with traditional and Roth options
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Supplemental plans
• FSA/HSA spending accounts
• Vacation and sick leave
• Uniform and boot allowances
• 360 Wellness Program with incentives
• Sign-on bonuses
• Referral bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed