Payroll Operations Manager

CoorsTek, Inc. • Golden, CO

3d

About The Position

The Payroll Operations Manager owns U.S. payroll operations for a multi-state manufacturing workforce, ensuring accurate and compliant processing across payroll tax, timekeeping, vendor management, internal controls, and audit readiness. The role is the company’s subject matter expert on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos Workforce Management, and drives efficiency through automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools. It is an individual-contributor position with no direct reports and works independently, seeking guidance only on the most complex or precedent-setting matters.

The position partners with HRIS, IT, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and plant leadership on system releases, testing, integrations, acquisitions, and process changes. Compensation is commensurate with experience, skills, and education; the posted target hiring range is USD 0.00–USD 0.00.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible multi-state U.S. payroll and timekeeping experience, including payroll service delivery in a shared services, outsourced, or vendor-managed model.
• Hands-on Workday Payroll experience.
• Hands-on UKG/Kronos Workforce Management experience.
• Experience with payroll tax compliance, wage-and-hour regulations, garnishments, deductions, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and audits.
• Experience with payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or process transitions.
• Expert knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos.
• Advanced payroll accounting knowledge, including reconciliations, general ledger impacts, funding, and controls.
• Strong analytical skills, including anomaly identification and root cause analysis.
• Ability to use AI, automation, and reporting tools while protecting compliance and data privacy.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Advanced Excel and reporting capability.
• Clear communication and project management skills, and ability to work effectively across cultures, functions, and sites.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with a large hourly manufacturing or industrial workforce.
• CPP certification.
• Experience in a SOX control environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant U.S. payroll across multiple states.
• Own the payroll calendar end to end, including deadlines, approvals, funding, quarter-end and year-end close, tax reconciliations, and W-2 issuance.
• Own configuration, administration, and integration of Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos, maintaining data integrity across time, earnings, deductions, taxes, and garnishments.
• Interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, shift premiums, garnishments, and deductions affecting an hourly workforce.
• Build and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; lead payroll audits and keep documentation audit-ready.
• Manage payroll vendors, including service levels, regulatory filings, reconciliations, and issue resolution.
• Build reporting and exception dashboards that surface anomalies, trends, and compliance risks before payroll runs.
• Investigate and resolve complex payroll issues and correct root causes.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and plant leadership on system releases, testing, integrations, acquisitions, and process changes.
• Apply automation and AI-enabled tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience while meeting privacy and compliance requirements.

What This Job Offers

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