Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Nekoosa Coated Products - Appleton, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Appleton, WI

Paper Manufacturing

About the position

Nekoosa Coated Products is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to oversee and ensure adherence to all payroll-related regulations, policies, and procedures within the organization. This role is crucial in developing and implementing strategies to maintain and manage our benefits and wellness initiatives. The Payroll/Benefits Specialist will be knowledgeable in HRIS payroll systems, specifically ADP and UKG, and will be responsible for executing and reviewing semi-monthly and weekly payroll processing in ADP/Worforce Now to ensure timely and accurate transactions. This includes managing aspects such as prevailing wage, benefits, garnishments, and taxes. Once the new HRIS is implemented, payroll processing will transition to UKG. The specialist will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws, preparing periodic payroll reports as needed for benefit calculations and reconciliations. They will provide support for requests from external auditors and manage audits of internal records, workers' compensation, tax filings, and related documentation. Additionally, the role involves holding supervisors accountable for submitting timecards on time and with accuracy, tracking errors, and collaborating with the Operations Manager and Sites HR Support. In terms of benefits administration, the Payroll/Benefits Specialist will design, implement, and manage comprehensive benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans. They will administer employee leave programs, ensuring compliance with relevant policies, and coordinate with external vendors and insurance providers for smooth benefits administration. Regular audits and assessments will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of existing benefits programs, and the specialist will develop and deliver employee communications regarding benefits enrollment and updates. They will also plan and execute wellness initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance, collaborating with cross-functional teams to organize wellness events and educational sessions. Monitoring industry trends and recommending adjustments to benefits and wellness programs will be part of their responsibilities, along with assisting in the development and maintenance of HR policies related to benefits and wellness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure adherence to payroll-related regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Execute and review semi-monthly and weekly payroll processing in ADP/Worforce Now.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
• Prepare periodic payroll reports for benefit calculations and reconciliations.
• Provide support for requests from external auditors and manage audits of internal records.
• Hold supervisors accountable for submitting timecards on time and with accuracy.
• Upload HSA Contributions for Simply HSA after payroll processing.
• Manage union billing and maintenance of all union contracts.
• Serve as the first point of contact for all payroll inquiries.
• Design, implement, and manage comprehensive benefits programs.
• Administer employee leave programs, ensuring compliance with policies.
• Coordinate with external vendors and insurance providers for benefits administration.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments of benefits programs.
• Develop and deliver employee communications regarding benefits.
• Plan, promote, and execute wellness initiatives and activities.
• Monitor industry trends and recommend adjustments to benefits programs.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of HR policies related to benefits and wellness.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of ADP and UltiPro / UKG Pro payroll processing and payroll concepts preferred.
• 5 years of full payroll cycle processing experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).

Nice-to-haves

• American Payroll Association Certification a plus.
• Union Billing experience a plus.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Competitive medical, dental, life, AD&D, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous annual time off allotment, including vacation, parental leave, paid volunteer time, sick or emergency time, and 12 holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 per year) and scholarships for dependents.
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement and annual steel toe and prescription safety glasses reimbursement.
• Annual bonus program and referral bonus program (up to $1,750).
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.