Senior Payroll Specialist

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Payroll Specialist oversees end-to-end payroll operations for a manufacturing workforce, ensuring accurate and timely pay for hourly, union, and salaried employees. This role requires deep expertise in payroll compliance, complex shift structures, and high-volume environments typical of production facilities. The Senior Payroll Specialist also serves as the subject-matter expert for payroll systems, audits, and process improvements.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of payroll principles, wage and hour laws, and multi-state payroll regulations.
Strong experience with manufacturing timekeeping systems and shift-based pay structures.
Advanced proficiency with payroll platforms (Paylocity, ADP, Workday, UKG/Kronos).
Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
Ability to interpret union contracts and apply pay rules accurately.
Excellent communication skills for working with plant managers, HR, and employees.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with strict deadlines.
Advanced Excel skills.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, HR, or related field preferred.
5–7+ years of payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a senior role.
Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

CPP or FPC certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead full-cycle payroll processing for multi-shift manufacturing operations, including hourly, union, temporary, and salaried employees.
Validate timekeeping data from plant systems, ensuring accuracy across overtime, shift differentials, weekend premiums, and meal-break compliance.
Review and approve payroll batches before final submission.
Manage complex payroll scenarios such as retroactive pay, incentive payouts, production bonuses, and attendance-based pay programs.
Oversee garnishments, benefits deductions, tax withholdings, and union dues.
Maintain payroll compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws, including FLSA and union contract requirements.
Partner with HR and plant leadership to resolve discrepancies and support workforce changes.
Prepare payroll reports for Finance, HR, and plant management; support month-end and year-end close.
Lead internal and external payroll audits; ensure documentation meets SOX and corporate standards.
Train and mentor payroll staff; act as the escalation point for complex payroll issues.
Identify and implement process improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
Stay current on payroll regulations, union agreements, and system updates.