Senior Payroll Manager

DIRECT Staffing Solutions
Auburn Hills, MI

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the Company’s Payroll department while supporting broader accounting objectives. This role ensures accurate and compliant payroll processing, adherence to all tax and regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement of payroll systems and reporting processes. The position also plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of financial operations, safeguarding company assets, and driving process efficiencies. This position reports to the Accounting Manager.

Responsibilities:

· Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Payroll department, including team oversight, performance management, and workload distribution.

· Oversee and process weekly payroll for office staff, including allowances, 401(k) and health benefits, Friend of the Court (FOC) payments, and bonus payments.

· Provide guidance and support to Payroll team members by resolving complex payroll issues and discrepancies.

· Review and ensure accuracy of payroll tax filings and reports, including but not limited to IRS Forms 940 and 941, federal and state unemployment taxes, and withholding tax.

· Assist with payroll-related activities such as union layoffs, tax filings, union pay rate updates, incentive pay programs, and other special compensation arrangements as needed.

· Perform payroll-related general ledger reconciliations and assist with troubleshooting variances.

· Support the implementation and optimization of the new ERP system, COINS.

· Assist in maintaining and updating onboarding documentation to ensure alignment with federal, state, local, and internal company policy changes.

· Assist with year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and distribution.

· Monitor 401(k) elections, contribution limits, and deferrals related to year-end bonus processing.

· Establish procedures and timelines for year-end bonus processing.

· Coordinate year-end tax updates and payroll processing timelines.

· Assist in preparation of the annual ESOP and profit-sharing census data for third-party administrators.

· Develop and deliver payroll and labor reports for senior management as needed.

· Participate in special projects and process improvement initiatives as assigned.

Skills and Competencies:

· Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and reporting requirements.

· Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

· Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

Key Must Have’s:

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field preferred; equivalent payroll experience will be considered.

· Minimum of 8 years +/- of payroll experience, preferably within the construction industry Other industries can be government institutions, schools, manufacturing, tool & die, other industries will be considered so long as it covers multi-state and union payroll tasks.

· Experience managing and developing payroll teams, including coaching and performance oversight.

· Someone who has seen all aspects of Corporate Payroll

o Allowances

o 401(k) deductions

o Health benefits deductions

o Friend of the Court (FOC) payments

o Bonus payments.

· Understand tax filings

o IRS Forms 940 and 941 - 2 payroll managers will file it but this role must lead the tax filings

o Federal and state unemployment taxes

o Withholding tax

o Overall state tax registrations

· Sage is IDEAL, not mandatory (especially to start, then moving to COINS ERP)

· Experience with any payroll system is perfect, Sage and COINS can be taught.

· Must understand how to do multi-site payroll processing.

· Must have payroll experience doing Union payroll. (they also will be responsible for Union CVA, Fringe benefits, understand the world of unions as it pertains to payroll)

· Advance Excel skill set including daily VLOOKUP’s, Pivot Tables and payroll/accounting systems

· Attention to detail / must be very accurate.

· Level of accounting knowledge so to advise on payroll journal entries in ledger

· Must have accounting reconciliation and troubleshooting experience when things are off, etc.

· Payroll audits.

    • Union Audits
    • Help with Plant Moran audits
    • 401K audits
    • ESOP audits

· Very involved with W2 annual filings

· Leadership experience in terms of managing a small payroll support staff.

    • Strong leadership skills
    • Support staff is there to help them.
    • Cultural fit is very important
    • TEAM mentality – they will work a lot with HR / Accounting / Field teams
\nCompany Description

Great company to start and grow your career with, excellent growth opportunities

Company Description

Great company to start and grow your career with, excellent growth opportunities

Posted 2026-08-14

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