SR Payroll Specialist

Zumiez Inc•Lynnwood, WA

4d•$72,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Specialist is a key member of the Zumiez Payroll Team and is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for more than 9,000 employees in a high-volume, multi-state environment. This position performs complex payroll transactions, payroll reconciliations, payroll tax activities, and garnishment administration while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, providing guidance and support to team members, resolving complex payroll issues, and partnering with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and operational excellence.

Requirements

5+ years of payroll experience in a high-volume, multi-state environment.
Strong experience processing complex payroll transactions from end to end.
Demonstrated experience administering wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, bankruptcies, and other involuntary deductions.
Working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and FLSA requirements.
Experience reconciling payroll reports, payroll tax data, deductions, and general ledger balances.
Proven ability to research, analyze, and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee pay issues.
Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including data analysis and reconciliations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

Experience training, mentoring, or supporting other payroll team members preferred.
High school diploma or equivalent required; additional college coursework preferred.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Process payroll accurately and timely in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, company policies, and established payroll procedures.
Administer complex payroll transactions including retroactive adjustments, off-cycle payments, bonus payments, final pay calculations, and other variable compensation.
Manage wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, bankruptcies, and other involuntary deductions, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and required remittances.
Research and resolve complex payroll issues, serving as an escalation point for payroll questions and employee concerns.
Reconcile payroll data, payroll reports, tax filings, deductions, and general ledger interfaces to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Review payroll audits and validation reports to identify discrepancies and correct issues prior to payroll processing.
Partner with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, IT, and field management teams to resolve payroll-related issues.
Support payroll tax activities, including balancing, reporting, and issue resolution.
Develop, maintain, and update payroll process documentation and training materials.
Train and support payroll team members on payroll processes, system functionality, and compliance requirements.
Identify opportunities for process improvements, increased efficiency, and enhanced accuracy within payroll operations.
Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.
Perform other duties as assigned.