The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll for a diverse workforce, including hourly manufacturing employees and a small Canadian employee population. This role oversees payroll operations, timekeeping administration, compliance with U.S. and Canadian payroll regulations, payroll system integrations, and continuous process improvements while supervising the payroll team. The Payroll Manager partners closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and exceptional employee service in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This is a 6 month temporary contract requiring onsite work three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) in Cypress, CA.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Manage end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees, including hourly manufacturing/production staff, across multiple states
• Process payroll for a small group of Canada-based employees, ensuring compliance with applicable Canadian federal and provincial requirements (e.g., CPP, EI, income tax withholdings, and year-end T4 reporting)
• Administer and maintain timekeeping in ADP eTime, including timecard review, exception resolution, approvals workflow, and pay rule configuration support
• Supervise, coach, and support payroll team members; review work for accuracy and completeness
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations (including California-specific requirements such as meal/rest premiums and final pay rules)
• Process off-cycle payments, terminations, retro adjustments, garnishments, levies, and wage attachments
• Manage payroll tax filings, amendments, and agency notices in coordination with ADP
• Partner with HR to accurately reflect 401(k) deferral changes, loans, and other benefits deduction updates in payroll.
• Support year-end processing, including W-2 review and issuance
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion
• Maintain payroll process documentation and internal controls; identify and recommend process improvements
• Support internal and external audits (financial, 401(k), workers' compensation) as needed
• Lead or support system integration projects across the payroll/HRIS landscape, including planning, testing, issue resolution, and cross-functional coordination
• Continuously review and recommend improvements to payroll processes to increase efficiency and accuracy
• Participate in ad hoc projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Education:

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including 2+ years in a payroll management or supervisory role
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Manager
• Hands-on experience with ADP eTime / Enhanced Time
• Year end W2 experience
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll processing and wage and hour compliance, especially California
• Experience processing payroll for a manufacturing or hourly production workforce
• Proficiency in Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables)
• Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility and adaptability to manage shifting priorities and time-sensitive requests with a calm, solutions-oriented approach
• Ability to start quickly and manage responsibilities with minimal training

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ADP–SAP SuccessFactors integration (strong plus) — including data flow between HRIS and payroll, integration error resolution, and employee data synchronization
• CPP or FPC certification
• Experience supporting payroll during system transitions, implementations, or interim leadership coverage