Mid Level Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs
Mid level senior payroll specialist jobs go to professionals ready to own payroll cycles end to end, resolve complex compliance issues independently, and mentor junior staff without constant oversight. Openings run across Distribution & Wholesale, Retail, and Education, with EXOTEC, Fanatics, and AutoNation among the employers hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Mid Level Senior Payroll Specialist jobs
Job purpose
The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll in a multi-shift manufacturing environment. This role ensures payroll compliance, conducts audits, maintains data integrity within ADP Workforce Now, and serves as the primary point of contact for payroll-related matters. Limited HR administrative support may be required, primarily related to payroll and benefits upkeep..
Duties and responsibilities
- Process full-cycle payroll for hourly and salaried employees, including shift differentials, overtime, bonuses, and special earnings.
- Review and audit timecards for accuracy and compliance with federal and state wage laws.
- Validate payroll changes including pay rate adjustments, deductions, garnishments, and tax updates.
- Maintain and reconcile payroll
- Conduct routine payroll audits and identify discrepancies; recommend and implement corrective action.
- Generate payroll reports and support leadership with payroll data analysis.
- Ensure accurate processing of benefit deductions and tax withholdings.
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally and timely.
- Assist with year-end payroll activities including W-2 reconciliation.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll information.
- Maintain employee payroll records within HRIS.
- Support benefit administration updates (enrollment changes, deduction updates, qualifying life events).
- Maintain I-9 documentation and payroll-related compliance records.
- Assist with workers’ compensation and leave tracking documentation as it relates to payroll.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field (preferred).
- Minimum 3 years of professional payroll processing experience.
- Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now & Timeworks (Payroll, Time & Attendance, Benefits, and Reporting modules) preferred.
- Experience working in a 24/7, multi-shift manufacturing environment (500+ employee workforce) preferred.
- Strong knowledge of wage and hour compliance, overtime calculations, and payroll tax fundamentals.
- Experience processing complex garnishments and benefit deductions.
Experience & Competencies
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) for payroll reconciliation and reporting.
- Strong auditing skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- High level of integrity, professional discretion, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth, and at times stressful environment.
Working conditions
- Must be able to work any and all shifts as directed.
- Must be able to work overtime as necessary, including holidays and weekends.
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
- Must be an avid Safety Champion and adhere to all safety programs and procedures.
Physical requirements
- Must wear non-slip, safety-resistant work shoes.
- Participation in mandatory pre-shift stretches and exercises.
- Proper use of required PPE, including hairnets, beard nets (if needed), and safety gloves.
- Must wear all required PPE when working with equipment or chemicals that require personal protection.
- Physical ability to: stand, sit at a desk, walk around the facility, lift/carry up to 50 lbs unassisted, reach, kneel, crawl, and twist.
- Must possess the ability to see, hear, and communicate with associates and others using professional etiquette.
Direct reports
- None
CandyCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.
Job purpose
The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll in a multi-shift manufacturing environment. This role ensures payroll compliance, conducts audits, maintains data integrity within ADP Workforce Now, and serves as the primary point of contact for payroll-related matters. Limited HR administrative support may be required, primarily related to payroll and benefits upkeep..
Duties and responsibilities
- Process full-cycle payroll for hourly and salaried employees, including shift differentials, overtime, bonuses, and special earnings.
- Review and audit timecards for accuracy and compliance with federal and state wage laws.
- Validate payroll changes including pay rate adjustments, deductions, garnishments, and tax updates.
- Maintain and reconcile payroll
- Conduct routine payroll audits and identify discrepancies; recommend and implement corrective action.
- Generate payroll reports and support leadership with payroll data analysis.
- Ensure accurate processing of benefit deductions and tax withholdings.
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally and timely.
- Assist with year-end payroll activities including W-2 reconciliation.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll information.
- Maintain employee payroll records within HRIS.
- Support benefit administration updates (enrollment changes, deduction updates, qualifying life events).
- Maintain I-9 documentation and payroll-related compliance records.
- Assist with workers’ compensation and leave tracking documentation as it relates to payroll.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field (preferred).
- Minimum 3 years of professional payroll processing experience.
- Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now & Timeworks (Payroll, Time & Attendance, Benefits, and Reporting modules) preferred.
- Experience working in a 24/7, multi-shift manufacturing environment (500+ employee workforce) preferred.
- Strong knowledge of wage and hour compliance, overtime calculations, and payroll tax fundamentals.
- Experience processing complex garnishments and benefit deductions.
Experience & Competencies
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel) for payroll reconciliation and reporting.
- Strong auditing skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- High level of integrity, professional discretion, and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth, and at times stressful environment.
Working conditions
- Must be able to work any and all shifts as directed.
- Must be able to work overtime as necessary, including holidays and weekends.
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
- Must be an avid Safety Champion and adhere to all safety programs and procedures.
Physical requirements
- Must wear non-slip, safety-resistant work shoes.
- Participation in mandatory pre-shift stretches and exercises.
- Proper use of required PPE, including hairnets, beard nets (if needed), and safety gloves.
- Must wear all required PPE when working with equipment or chemicals that require personal protection.
- Physical ability to: stand, sit at a desk, walk around the facility, lift/carry up to 50 lbs unassisted, reach, kneel, crawl, and twist.
- Must possess the ability to see, hear, and communicate with associates and others using professional etiquette.
Direct reports
- None
CandyCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.
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Top Industries Hiring
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Retail
- Education
- Automotive
- Food & Beverage
Mid Level Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level senior payroll specialist job?
Position your experience around ownership and accuracy: highlight payroll runs you managed independently, compliance issues you resolved, and any process improvements you led. Tailor your resume to show depth in payroll systems like ADP, Workday, or Ceridian, and emphasize your familiarity with multi-state tax rules. Recruiters at this level want evidence you can handle complexity without close supervision.
Which companies hire mid level senior payroll specialists?
Companies hiring mid level senior payroll specialists right now include EXOTEC, Fanatics, and AutoNation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level covers large enterprises with high-volume payroll needs, regional employers scaling their HR operations, and professional services firms that require strong compliance expertise.
Are there remote mid level senior payroll specialist jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid options are common at this level. About 17% of mid level senior payroll specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how payroll work translates well to distributed teams. Fully on-site roles still exist, particularly at companies with complex multi-location operations that prefer hands-on coordination.
How do I move up to a mid level senior payroll specialist role?
Growth from entry level into a mid level senior payroll specialist role comes from taking on progressively more complex payroll responsibilities over time. Build depth in multi-state or multi-entity payroll, get comfortable owning full payroll cycles, and pursue certifications like the FPC or CPP. Demonstrating measurable impact, such as reducing errors or improving processing time, signals readiness for mid level ownership.
Which industries hire the most mid level senior payroll specialists?
Mid Level senior payroll specialist roles concentrate in Distribution & Wholesale, Retail, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors tend to employ large, distributed workforces with complex payroll needs, driving consistent demand for professionals who can manage compliance, reporting, and processing at scale.