Manager - Payroll, US
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Onsite – Kohler, WI
Opportunity
The Manager Payroll, North America leads the transformation and modernization of Kohler’s US payroll driving a more automated, compliant, and employee friendly experience end to end. This role owns delivery of accurate, on time payroll while shaping the roadmap for process excellence, Workday Payroll optimization, controls, and scalable ways of working across a complex, multi-state environment. The ideal candidate brings deep Workday Payroll expertise, a continuous improvement mindset, and the leadership to partner across HR, Finance, and IT to deliver meaningful change.
Specific Responsibilities
- Own end to end US payroll delivery ensuring every pay cycle is accurate, compliant, and on time, with clear controls and a customer first service mindset.
- Be the compliance steward for US payroll, proactively monitoring legislative changes and translating requirements into streamlined policies, procedures, and system updates.
- Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, creating a high-performance culture focused on modernization, continuous improvement, and exceptional employee support.
- Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and business leaders to simplify upstream/downstream payroll workflows, resolve root causes, and elevate the overall employee experience.
- Deliver clear, decision-ready reporting (tax filings, wage statements, reconciliations, and analytics) that improves transparency, audit readiness, and leadership insight.
- Strengthen controls through regular audits and reconciliation practices, reducing risk while improving data quality and cycle efficiency.
- Champion continuous improvement identifying automation opportunities, standardizing processes, and leveraging Workday capabilities to modernize how payroll is delivered.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters, bringing calm, clarity, and strong judgement while protecting the employee experience.
- Lead year-end execution (including W-2s) with strong project discipline, ensuring a smooth, compliant close and a positive employee experience.
- Bring hands-on Workday implementation experience and lead future roadmap initiatives, including Time & Attendance projects, ensuring successful delivery, adoption, and measurable business outcomes.
- Lead and influence cross-functional initiatives and vendor partnerships to deliver payroll enhancements, Workday releases, integrations, and broader transformation milestones, on time and with measurable impact.
- Partner closely with the Director, Global Payroll to advance a truly global payroll operating model, defining a multi-year roadmap to sta