Payroll Manager

Panasonic • Newark, NJ

15d • $115,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Every moment of every day, people all over the world turn to Panasonic to make their lives simpler, more enjoyable, more productive and more secure. Since our founding almost a century ago, we’ve been committed to improving peoples’ lives and making the world a better place–one customer, one business, one innovative leap at a time. Come join our journey!

This role is responsible for directing the day to day payroll functions while ensuring a high level of customer service and satisfaction. Partners with and supports internal users/management in issue resolution and the development of new processes. Responsible for ensuring all statutory and collective bargaining agreement compliance in electronic timekeeping and payroll programs. Oversees liens, garnishments, 401(k) and other deductions. The successful candidate will have a strong track record of working in a highly collaborative environment with the ability to coach staff, deliver industry best practices, high quality standard operating procedures and monitoring controls.
Management and Shared Service Operations
Act as a backup support to the payroll teams during absences, peak periods, or increased workloads to ensure seamless operations.
Develop and maintain a structured cross-training program aligned with team goals and coverage requirements.
Coordinate job-shadowing, role rotations, and paired work to ensure hands-on learning and knowledge transfer.
Implement change management: training, runbooks, escalation paths, and fallback plans to ensure payroll continuity.
Lead ad-hoc payroll transformation initiatives from scoping through delivery (e.g., Payroll AI agent, automation pilots, etc.)
Lead various ad-hoc payroll Projects related to restructure (divestitures, mergers, splits, carve-outs), from scoping to handover.
Responsible for managing the Americas (US) shared service payroll operations
Manage, develop, coach, and support direct reports located in 3 regions within the U.S. (East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest)
Establish a high performing team and lead a culture of accountability in order to provide quality service to HR Shared Service customers
Develop payroll strategy and partner with Human Resources, Legal, Finance, and Tax Departments in automation, compliance and customer centric initiatives.
Direct team on M&A activity and payroll-related projects
Create and maintain strong working relationships with third party vendors pertaining to unemployment claims management, garnishments, commuter benefits, and health and welfare.
Ensure Service Level Agreements are adhered to, addressing trends to eliminate manual labor and create plans for system configurations.
Contributes to the design and implementation of company policies and procedures
Payroll Processing and Compliance
Partner with Payroll Accounting Department guaranteeing payments and deductions are calculated and disbursed timely
Remain up-to-date and provide direction on changing U.S. employment tax legislations, FLSA and state wage law, and garnishment administration
Sign-off on payroll staff processing and auditing of weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly pay cycles for approximately 6,000 U.S. domestic employees
Ensures compilation and preparation of payroll data for various reporting functions such as 401K, health insurance, etc.
Responsible for timely and favorable audit findings related to SOX, internal audits, external audits, and local union reviews
Remains current on new legislation and regulatory rulings impacting payroll; Enforces adherence to requirements and advises management on necessary action plans when warranted
Monitors and ensures updated statutory regulations and compliance in Workday timekeeping module
Oversee garnishments, 401(k), and all other employee / employer payroll deductions
Scope:
This position has six direct reports

Requirements

• Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, HR Management or equivalent work experience
• 5-7 years’ experience managing a multi-state payroll function
• Experience with Workday HCM/Payroll/Time Tracking
• 3+ years of experience managing and leading teams
• Experience working in fast-paced, high volume environments
• Ability to manage and coach team with strong leadership capabilities
• Demonstrate strong ability to influence key stake holders
• Ability to analyze complex payroll situations and direct staff accordingly
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Proficiency with MS Office applications, payroll software, and report writing
• Self-starter with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team environment
• Good time management skills in order to meet continuous critical deadlines
• Detail oriented, high level of accuracy and completeness of work, able to detect inconsistencies in data; able to prepare and process payroll documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Experience complying with audit procedures, tax and accounting practices, company policies and procedures
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills required
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Able to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, and to deal tactfully and courteously with team members and other staff when explaining the functions and policies in the Payroll Department
• Maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards and professionalism to ensure privacy of employee records
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required

Nice To Haves

• American Payroll Association and/or SHRM member

Responsibilities

• Direct the day to day payroll functions while ensuring a high level of customer service and satisfaction.
• Partners with and supports internal users/management in issue resolution and the development of new processes.
• Responsible for ensuring all statutory and collective bargaining agreement compliance in electronic timekeeping and payroll programs.
• Oversees liens, garnishments, 401(k) and other deductions.
• Act as a backup support to the payroll teams during absences, peak periods, or increased workloads to ensure seamless operations.
• Develop and maintain a structured cross-training program aligned with team goals and coverage requirements.
• Coordinate job-shadowing, role rotations, and paired work to ensure hands-on learning and knowledge transfer.
• Implement change management: training, runbooks, escalation paths, and fallback plans to ensure payroll continuity.
• Lead ad-hoc payroll transformation initiatives from scoping through delivery (e.g., Payroll AI agent, automation pilots, etc.)
• Lead various ad-hoc payroll Projects related to restructure (divestitures, mergers, splits, carve-outs), from scoping to handover.
• Responsible for managing the Americas (US) shared service payroll operations
• Manage, develop, coach, and support direct reports located in 3 regions within the U.S. (East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest)
• Establish a high performing team and lead a culture of accountability in order to provide quality service to HR Shared Service customers
• Develop payroll strategy and partner with Human Resources, Legal, Finance, and Tax Departments in automation, compliance and customer centric initiatives.
• Direct team on M&A activity and payroll-related projects
• Create and maintain strong working relationships with third party vendors pertaining to unemployment claims management, garnishments, commuter benefits, and health and welfare.
• Ensure Service Level Agreements are adhered to, addressing trends to eliminate manual labor and create plans for system configurations.
• Contributes to the design and implementation of company policies and procedures
• Partner with Payroll Accounting Department guaranteeing payments and deductions are calculated and disbursed timely
• Remain up-to-date and provide direction on changing U.S. employment tax legislations, FLSA and state wage law, and garnishment administration
• Sign-off on payroll staff processing and auditing of weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly pay cycles for approximately 6,000 U.S. domestic employees
• Ensures compilation and preparation of payroll data for various reporting functions such as 401K, health insurance, etc.
• Responsible for timely and favorable audit findings related to SOX, internal audits, external audits, and local union reviews
• Remains current on new legislation and regulatory rulings impacting payroll; Enforces adherence to requirements and advises management on necessary action plans when warranted
• Monitors and ensures updated statutory regulations and compliance in Workday timekeeping module
• Oversee garnishments, 401(k), and all other employee / employer payroll deductions

Benefits

• Panasonic prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health:
• Health Benefits – Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Voluntary Benefits – Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
• Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) – 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
• Paid Time-Off Benefits – Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave.
• Educational Assistance – Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
• Health Management and Wellbeing Programs –Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Available to eligible employees starting the first day of the month following your start date. Eligibility for each benefit may vary based on employment status, location, and length of service.
• Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
• Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees