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Senior Payroll Specialist

Location: 

Remote Location, US

Requisition ID:  2991

Job Summary/Overview

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.

Essential Duties and 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.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

  • 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.

Required Qualifications

  • 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.
  • CPP or FPC certification is a plus.

About Columbus McKinnon:

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions that move the world forward and improve lives by efficiently and ergonomically moving, lifting, positioning and securing materials.  Key products include hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, light rail workstations and digital power and motion control systems.  We are focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by our superior design and engineering know-how.  Columbus McKinnon is a publicly traded company that has been in business for almost 150 years – proud of our heritage, where we come from, and where we’re going. As Columbus McKinnon grows globally, so does our need for driven and inspired employees. Join our winning team!

Columbus McKinnon Corporation promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.  We also value the safety of all associates and work hard to maintain a Drug Free Workplace.

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