Payroll Manager - Southfield, MI

Now hiring! Payroll Manager

 

Southfield, MI - Hybrid/On-site

 

BASF Coatings is a global supplier of high quality, durable coatings for new vehicle manufacturing, including advanced color design as well as efficient, high-standard repair solutions with digital color matching and surface treatment solutions under the Chemetall brand for preparing and protecting metal, plastic, and glass surfaces, ensuring adhesion and corrosion resistance.  

 

**BASF and Carlyle, in partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority, have entered into a binding agreement related to BASF’s Coatings and surface treatments businesses. Pending customary regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in Q2 2026.  

 

The Payroll Manager is accountable for the accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of payroll across multiple legal entities and jurisdictions. This role serves as the internal payroll subject‑matter expert and operational leader, ensuring strong internal controls, audit readiness, and risk mitigation while enabling a stable and scalable payroll function with external partners and aligned with business needs.  

What You'll be doing:

Payroll Operations & Compliance

• Manage end-to-end payroll for multi-entity, multi-state, and cross-border teams
• Ensure compliance with all payroll, wage-and-hour, and tax regulations at federal, state, and local levels
• Oversee payroll tax activities, including filings, remittances, reconciliations, and response to government notices
• Maintain audit-ready payroll processes and documentation supporting internal, external, and regulatory audits

Governance, Controls & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain payroll internal controls, including SOX-relevant processes where applicable
• Identify, assess, and mitigate payroll-related operational, compliance, and financial risks
• Ensure accurate reconciliation of payroll results to the general ledger and downstream systems

Systems & Process Excellence

• Act as payroll systems subject matter expert (e.g., SAP, Workday, ADP, or similar platforms)
• Implement a new payroll system with an external provider while simultaneously integrating a new external BPO into the day-to-day payroll operations and a new global HCM (SAP/SuccessFactors) 
• Oversee payroll configuration, data integrity, and change control processes
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
• Partner with HRIS and IT teams on system upgrades, integrations, and testing

Leadership & Stakeholder Partnership

• Lead, coach, and develop payroll team members at external BPO with clear accountability and performance expectations
• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, Leadership and other key stakeholders  
• Provide clear, executive-ready reporting on payroll status, risks, and remediation actions
• Support organizational change initiatives (e.g., acquisitions, entity changes, system transitions)

Experience & Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; preference given to candidates with majors in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including multi-state or multi-entity settings
• Demonstrated experience in people leadership, or leading through influence and without authority is essential
• Comprehensive understanding of U.S. payroll and payroll tax regulations; Canadian payroll experience is an asset, and willingness to learn Canadian payroll is a requirement
• Payroll certification (CPP or FPC) is highly desirable
• Proven ability to operate effectively within audit- and controls-focused environments
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems and strong analytical skills
• Previous direct experience working with an external BPO and external payroll provider is strongly preferred

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

 

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed t