Payroll Manager - Southfield, MI

BASF SE • Southfield, MI

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of payroll across multiple legal entities and jurisdictions. This role serves as the internal payroll subject‑matter expert and operational leader, ensuring strong internal controls, audit readiness, and risk mitigation while enabling a stable and scalable payroll function with external partners and aligned with business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; preference given to candidates with majors in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including multi-state or multi-entity settings
• Demonstrated experience in people leadership, or leading through influence and without authority is essential
• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. payroll and payroll tax regulations
• Canadian payroll experience is an asset, and willingness to learn Canadian payroll is a requirement
• Proven ability to operate effectively within audit- and controls-focused environments
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems and strong analytical skills
• Previous direct experience working with an external BPO and external payroll provider is strongly preferred
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

• Payroll certification (CPP or FPC) is highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll for multi-entity, multi-state, and cross-border teams
• Ensure compliance with all payroll, wage-and-hour, and tax regulations at federal, state, and local levels
• Oversee payroll tax activities, including filings, remittances, reconciliations, and response to government notices
• Maintain audit-ready payroll processes and documentation supporting internal, external, and regulatory audits
• Establish and maintain payroll internal controls, including SOX-relevant processes where applicable
• Identify, assess, and mitigate payroll-related operational, compliance, and financial risks
• Ensure accurate reconciliation of payroll results to the general ledger and downstream systems
• Act as payroll systems subject matter expert (e.g., SAP, Workday, ADP, or similar platforms)
• Implement a new payroll system with an external provider while simultaneously integrating a new external BPO into the day-to-day payroll operations and a new global HCM (SAP/SuccessFactors)
• Oversee payroll configuration, data integrity, and change control processes
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
• Partner with HRIS and IT teams on system upgrades, integrations, and testing
• Lead, coach, and develop payroll team members at external BPO with clear accountability and performance expectations
• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, Leadership and other key stakeholders
• Provide clear, executive-ready reporting on payroll status, risks, and remediation actions
• Support organizational change initiatives (e.g., acquisitions, entity changes, system transitions)

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager