Payroll Specialist

Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery•Andover, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Producer Payroll Specialist leads the day-to-day operations of the Producer Payroll function and is responsible for administering payroll, reporting, and accounting activities to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely execution. You will serve as a subject matter expert for producer payroll processes and is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, strong internal controls, and exceptional service to Agri-Mark’s producer members. The position serves as a key liaison between producer members, and cross-function teams to ensure payroll transactions and related accounting activities are completed accurately and within established deadlines. In addition, the role is responsible for the administration of the HP Hood producer payroll program, including related accounting, reconciliation, and reporting activities, which are maintained separately from Agri-Mark's regular producer payroll process. The Producer Payroll Specialist exercises independent judgment in researching and resolving complex payroll issues, maintains the integrity of payroll and financial records, and supports business continuity through cross-functional expertise in Milk Accounting and Reporting functions. The Producer Payroll Specialist provides proficient backup support for Milk Accounting & Reporting functions, including Federal Milk Market Order (FMMO)reporting, milk-related reconciliations, journal entries, brokered milk invoicing, balance sheet reconciliations, and month-end close activities. This position maintains cross-functional expertise to ensure accurate and timely execution of critical milk accounting processes during coverage periods and to maintain business continuity. This position requires three in-person days per week in office – Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Requirements

Proven ability to manage and execute complex payroll and financial processes with a high degree of accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to independently manage complex processes and resolve issues.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities with meeting critical deadlines in a high-volume environment.
Effective communication, customer service, and relationship management skills.
Solid knowledge of accounting principles, account reconciliations, reporting and internal controls.
Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify opportunities to streamline processes.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ERP systems.
3-6 years of progressive experience in accounting, payroll administration, financial operations or related experience required.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Experience supporting audits, regulatory reporting, or agricultural/cooperative accounting process preferred.
Dairy or agriculture industry or FMMO experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Administer and execute all aspects of the Producer Payroll function, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant execution of member payments and related transactions.
Perform the end-to-end bi-monthly producer payroll process, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and adherence to established deadlines.
Direct and execute payroll-related transactions, including: Member payments, Member vendor assignments, Supplemental Maine premium payments, Deductions and adjustments related to members’ sales invoices, retail store sales, and hauling, Federal Milk Marketing Order reporting, National and local milk promotion voucher processing and distribution, Dumped milk voucher processing and distribution.
Maintain member load records and perform General Ledger accounts reconciliations.
Oversee and execute the accounting and operational activities of the third-party payroll function, including reconciliations, journal entries, reporting, and analysis.
Collaborate with producer payroll team and others to ensure payroll workflows, milk balancing activities, and related processes are completed accurately and within required timeframes.
Maintain producer load records and perform reconciliations to support the accuracy and integrity of payroll and financial data.
Serve as the primary resource for producer payroll processes, systems, controls and reporting.
Exercise independent judgment to identify, research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
Administer member receivables, including monitoring balances, maintaining supporting schedules, preparing reconciliations and tracking collection activity.
Establish and maintain hauler records in the system of record and process hauler payroll transactions.
Assist in the annual unclaimed property (escheatment) activities, including due diligence, documentation, and regulatory compliance requirements related to producer payroll and equity checks.
Support month-end and year-end close activities, audits, and internal control requirements related to producer payroll operations.
Serve as a primary point of contact for members and vendors, providing customer service and timely resolution of payroll related inquiries.
Identify and collaborate to implement process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, workflows, internal controls and member service.
Maintain and develop proficiency in Milk Accounting & Reporting processes to provide business continuity support and cross-functional coverage for critical finance and regulatory reporting activities.
Provide backup support for monthly Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) reporting, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Assist in the compilation, validation, reconciliation, and reporting of milk volume, pricing, payment, and accounting information.
Perform milk-related accounting reconciliations, including 9C reconciliations for direct milk and brokered milk transactions.
Review, verify, approve, and process brokered milk invoices and associated accounting transactions.
Audit milk-related accounts receivable milk sales invoices for accuracy prior to customer distribution.
Support monthly balance sheet reconciliations and related accounting activities associated with milk accounting functions.
Monitor milk pricing components and billing calculations to support accurate accounting and invoicing.
Assist with month-end and year-end close activities by preparing reconciliations, supporting schedules, and related documentation.
Maintain process knowledge, documentation, and system proficiency to ensure seamless operational support and continuity of milk accounting and reporting functions.