Salary range: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00/yr
Shift: Mon-Thurs 6a-4:30p. Friday if needed. Exempt position. There is a night shift (4:30 - 3a) so some coverage (eg onboarding) may be required beyond 4:30p as-needed.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Payroll & HR Compliance Specialist is responsible for leading payroll administration (ADP), ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining internal control frameworks—specifically aligning operational processes with parent-company (PSI) compliance standards and SOX requirements. Unlike a traditional HR Generalist or Employee Relations role, the primary focus of this position is rigorous regulatory, financial, and operational compliance, supported by key administrative HR functions including end-to-end onboarding, offboarding, and benefits administration.
This role exercises significant independent judgment and discretion in evaluating regulatory requirements, designing internal controls, managing audit procedures, and advising leadership on compliance risks and statutory obligations.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Regulatory & HR Compliance Oversight
· Research, interpret, and apply applicable federal, state, and local employment and payroll laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, federal FMLA, Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Law, ADA, EEO-1 reporting requirements, OSHA recordkeeping, and applicable state and local requirements), in consultation with Legal or other subject-matter experts as appropriate.
· Design, implement, and monitor internal compliance programs, policies, and employee handbook provisions in alignment with corporate compliance standards.
· Serve as the primary compliance advisor to plant and operational leadership regarding statutory recordkeeping, payroll laws, and regulatory reporting obligations.
· Maintain and audit state-by-state employment recordkeeping systems, required labor-law postings, I-9/E-Verify documentation, and mandatory certifications.
2. SOX Internal Controls & Audit Management
· Lead the design, documentation, and continuous evaluation of SOX-relevant internal controls for payroll, benefits, and personnel administration processes.
· Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors during quarterly and annual SOX compliance walkthroughs and testing.
· Identify control deficiencies, establish remediation plans, and implement process enhancements to ensure audit readiness and operational integrity.
3. Payroll Administration & Financial Coordination
· Manage end-to-end multi-state payroll processing via ADP, including setup, pay rate changes, deductions, tax withholding compliance, garnishments, and off-cycle adjustments.
· Partner directly with Finance to coordinate payroll-related journal entries, general ledger accruals, tax filings, and account reconciliations.
· Establish metrics and dashboard reporting for executive leadership regarding payroll efficiency, overtime analytics, and compliance audit findings.
4. Employee Lifecycle & Benefits Administration
· Oversee the end-to-end onboarding framework, including offer documentation, legal verification (I-9/E-Verify), system access authorizations, and benefits enrollment execution.
· Direct the offboarding lifecycle, ensuring COBRA notification compliance, timely final wage processing in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements and company policy, and unemployment claim responses.
· Support workers' compensation reporting, safety administration, and injury claims tracking in coordination with risk management.
5. General Operational Support
· Maintain confidentiality and appropriate access controls for personnel, payroll, benefits, medical, leave, and other sensitive employee information in accordance with applicable law and company policy.
· Adhere to corporate safety standards and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
· Perform all other high-level compliance and administrative duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS
· Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field preferred. Direct applicable experience demonstrating elevated authority and compliance management may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
· Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in payroll administration (ADP Workforce Now or similar platform) paired with strong compliance oversight experience. Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment is highly preferred.
· Compliance Expertise: Demonstrated experience evaluating, designing, and maintaining SOX internal controls and navigating parent/subsidiary compliance alignment.
· Regulatory Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and multi-jurisdictional employment laws and payroll regulations.
· Technical & Analytical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis).
· Autonomy & Discretion: Proven ability to operate independently with minimal direction in a lean infrastructure, exercising high discretion and authority in managing compliance risk.
MTL Manufacturing & Equipment Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Disability/Vet) offering a drug-free workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
