Payroll & Benefits Specialist

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Payroll Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for our payroll vendor (UKG) for payroll processing. 
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for the payroll system (UKG).
• Process the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for all US location, partnering with the payroll provider (UKG).
• Provide and analyze payroll data for variety of regulatory, legal, and other reporting purposes.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for the EEO and Illinois Equal Pay reporting. 
• Processes garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, etc.
• Partner with Supervisors/Managers and team members to ensure all time is accounted for in the time/attendance tracking system (UKG Workforce Management).
• Process all manual payroll changes in UKG, including retroactive pay, merit increases, bonuses, etc.
• Serve as point person for tax agency inquires and/or notices.
• Reconcile payroll, deductions, taxes, and garnishments on a quarterly basis and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Responsible for Year-End payroll processes and compliance 
• Assist with annual 401K and Financial Audits and compliance testing.
• Assist with customer service support to internal and external customers. 
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• Benefits Responsibilities
• Serve as subject matter expert for Nemera US benefit plans. 
• Assist with new hire enrollments, and terminations, including COBRA administration.
• Partner with the Benefit & Payroll Manager to reconcile monthly vendor bills and work with the Finance team for timely payments.
• Serve as a secondary contact for benefit plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Support with maintenance of employee benefits, files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Conduct regular benefit audits to ensure accuracy.
• Help design and distribute materials for new hire orientations and open enrollment.
• Help provide training and support to group benefits associates, including new hire and open enrollment. 
• Support engagement activities and all HR projects or initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• 4-year degree in Human Resources, Accounting, or similar discipline.
• 5 years of full cycle Payroll and Payroll reporting experience.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience 
• Working knowledge of UKG Pro & UKG Workforce Management strongly preferred
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certification strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting Manufacturing or similar environment, strongly preferred.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Excellent communication skills, analytical skills, written and verbal skills.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, 
• Be a self-starter with excellent attention to detail, problem solving, decision making and follow-through skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in an office and manufacturing environment with moderate noise level.
•  Must wear PPE when entering warehouse and manufacturing areas.
• Must be able to lift up to 35lbs.