Payroll Manager

Gillig•Livermore, CA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation. GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support. From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA. WHY GILLIG Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years! Flexible schedules (depending on project needs) Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits ABOUT THE ROLE GILLIG is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to lead and oversee all payroll operations across the organization. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while driving operational excellence, process improvements, and payroll system optimization. The Payroll Manager serves as the subject matter expert for payroll compliance, taxation, payroll systems, and reporting. This position partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, HRIS, and external vendors to maintain payroll integrity, support organizational growth, and ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll, UKG Time & Attendance (Kronos), payroll compliance, and payroll operations management, along with demonstrated experience leading payroll teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred
Minimum 8 years of progressive payroll experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role
Extensive experience managing multi-state payroll operations and payroll compliance
Hands-on experience with SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll
Hands-on experience with UKG Time & Attendance (Kronos) (required)
Experience with Wisely paycard and ADP SmartCompliance preferred
Advanced Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, complex formulas, reconciliations, and payroll analytics
Strong knowledge of payroll accounting principles, payroll taxation, wage and hour laws, and regulatory compliance
Demonstrated experience leading payroll audits, implementations, and process improvement initiatives
Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Strong communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across all levels of the organization
High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Manage and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for hourly, salaried, and exempt emp employees across multiple locations and jurisdictions, both union-represented and non-union employees
Ensure timely and accurate payroll execution in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
Establish and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Oversee payroll tax compliance, garnishments, deductions, earnings, and benefit-related payroll transactions
Lead payroll audits, reconciliations, tax filings, and year-end activities including W-2 processing.
Lead, mentor, and develop payroll staff while serving as the escalation point for complex payroll issues
Serve as the primary payroll system administrator and subject matter expert for SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll
Oversee payroll integrations and data accuracy between UKG Time & Attendance (Kronos), HRIS, payroll, and financial systems
Develop payroll metrics, dashboards, reporting, and process improvements.
Collaborate with HR, Finance, Accounting, Tax, HRIS, and external vendors to support payroll operations and compliance
Support organizational initiatives, employee programs, and special projects as needed
Perform other duties as assigned