Sr. Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Specialist/Payroll Analyst brings advanced analytical expertise within a Payroll discipline in USA & Canada, such as payroll processing, local, state and federal tax filling, Global Payroll Standards compliance, internal controls and reconciliation. This role leads complex analyses, supports company-wide initiatives, and collaborates across cross-functional teams to drive impactful improvements within the Payroll Specialist area of focus.

This role can be home-based USA (CST or EST preferred) or hybrid near one of our offices (Hoffman Estates or Decatur, IL).

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Builds and maintains working relationships with HR, Finance, Plant administrators to ensure payroll requirements are fully communicated, understood and adhered to.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records of payroll transactions & ensures data is transferred to 3rd party provider for processing within agreed timelines.
• Check’s 3rd party providers payroll output to ensure all data changes have been applied accurately.
• Reviews & approves Payroll, disbursements & garnishments, in line with internal approval routes.
• Routinely checks payroll providers output to ensure it complies with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and the law.
• Maintains and reviews payroll process guides to ensure all payroll related procedures are accurately documented.
• Ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance within the team, coordinating documentation checks and contributing to data governance efforts.
• Collaborate with other functions (HR, Finance, C&B teams) and external vendors to implement and improve programmes, processes, or policies within the Payroll expertise, supporting team-wide goals and promoting Payroll optimisation.
• Facilitates audits by providing records and documentation to auditors & answering follow up questions.
• Prepares reports & compiles summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and non-taxable wages for multiple stakeholders.
• Assists the finance function to balance the payroll accounts by resolving queries relating to General Ledger reporting.
• Responds to employee data requests within agreed SLA timelines.
• Conduct in-depth analyses and evaluations within Payroll area, using advanced metrics to identify trends and opportunities for improvement and make recommendations to management to support decision-making.
• Provide mentoring or guidance to more junior team members, supporting skill development and providing support with handling and resolving complex Payroll-related challenges.
• Adheres to data protection laws at all times, keeping information confidential and sharing only where absolutely necessary.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

  Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or equivalent experience.
• FPC or CPP Certification required.
• Three to five years of related experience required.
• Knowledge of the payroll function including preparation, balancing, internal control, and payroll taxes filling.
• Experience of processing payrolls using Workday for US is a must.
• Experience of processing payroll via a 3rd party provider
• Must possess excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan a variety of tasks with conflicting demands whilst meeting strict deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Largely able to operate independently, though may seek guidance on atypical or complex Payroll issues. Able to coach juniors on technical and operational matters in a specialism.
• Accountable for own targets and reviewing work of juniors.
• Frequently conducts detailed analysis and investigation to identify customised solutions for Payroll problems or needs, determine best options, or suggest improvements to existing methods.
• This role involves initiating communication with cross-functional teams to address and resolve shared issues, collaborate on processes, and interpret or clarify technical information to enhance understanding.
• Workday HR System experience required.

Tate & Lyle complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

When determining final compensation, we take into consideration: skillset, job scope, knowledge, prior experience, cost of living, market data, budget availability, and other factors as permitted by law.

The pay range for this position is: $65,000 - $89,500.

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