Senior Manager, Payroll Operations

Wayne Farms • Oakwood, GA

11d

About The Position

We're seeking a Senior Manager, Payroll Operations to lead payroll delivery for approximately 28,000 employees across 25+ locations. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for overseeing payroll operations, driving compliance and internal controls, leading system and process improvements, and partnering across the business to support organizational growth. This opportunity is ideal for someone who combines deep payroll expertise with strong people leadership skills and enjoys driving operational excellence in a fast-paced, complex environment.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience managing payroll teams.
• Experience supporting payroll operations within a large, complex, multi-state organization.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll taxation, wage-and-hour laws, garnishments, audits, and year-end reporting.
• Experience using major payroll or HCM platforms such as Workday, ADP, UKG, SAP, Oracle, or similar systems.
• Demonstrated success leading process improvements and operational enhancements.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
• Ability to handle highly confidential employee and company information with discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience in a publicly traded or Fortune 500 environment.
• Experience supporting SOX compliance and audit activities.
• Experience managing payroll across multiple legal entities or complex business structures.
• Experience leading system implementations, acquisitions, integrations, or transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with payroll analytics, automation tools, employee self-service technologies, and case management platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead Payroll Operations: Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for a large, multi-state workforce. Ensure payroll is delivered accurately, timely, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. Manage all payroll types, including regular, bonus, commission, off-cycle, termination, and special payrolls. Oversee payroll reconciliations, tax filings, deductions, garnishments, PTO processing, and year-end activities such as W-2 reporting. Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll issues and drive resolution with a focus on employee experience.
• Drive Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including FLSA, IRS, Department of Labor, and SOX requirements. Strengthen payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to minimize risk and improve accuracy. Partner with Internal Audit, Legal, Tax, HR, and Finance teams to support audits, regulatory changes, and compliance initiatives.
• Build & Develop a High-Performing Team: Lead, coach, and develop a team of payroll professionals. Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and development plans. Foster a culture of collaboration, customer service, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Support succession planning and talent development across the payroll function.
• Lead Systems & Process Improvements: Act as the payroll systems subject matter expert. Lead payroll implementations, upgrades, integrations, testing efforts, and optimization initiatives. Identify opportunities to automate, standardize, and streamline payroll processes. Support payroll integration activities related to acquisitions, reorganizations, and organizational growth.
• Partner Across the Business: Collaborate with HR, Accounting, Finance, Treasury, Benefits, Compensation, Tax, Legal, Internal Audit, and Technology teams. Support payroll accounting, funding, budgeting, vendor management, and reporting activities. Provide insights and recommendations that enhance operational effectiveness and support business objectives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed