Job Description

Level: Experienced
Job Location: Port Townsend Paper Company - Port Townsend, WA 98368
Salary Range: $103,500.00 - $160,500.00 Salary/yearThe Position
The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of payroll operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for the organization. This role provides leadership to the payroll function, manages payroll compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, oversees payroll accounting and reconciliations, partners closely with Human Resources and Finance, and drives continuous process improvements. The Payroll Manager serves as the organization's subject matter expert on payroll, payroll taxes, benefits, labor reporting, and payroll system administration.
This is a hands-on management role responsible for overseeing payroll compliance, payroll accounting, reconciliations, reporting, and process improvement. The position is an individual contributor and does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.
About Port Townsend Paper Company (PTPC)
The Port Townsend Paper ("PTPC") mill is proud to have been in continuous operation for more than 90 years. We use a blend of virgin and recycled fibers (Kraft and OCC pulp) to produce Kraft pulp, paper, containerboard, medium, and market pulp. We have built a strong and loyal customer base by developing and nurturing strategic partnership-style relationships.
At PTPC, we believe that a healthy and safe work environment is fundamental to the success of all employees. We put that belief into practice every day by managing risk and building safety reliability into our processes and procedures. Engaging and empowering our workforce to maintain world-class safety performance is the pathway to achieving operational excellence. We also strive to preserve the environment, be good neighbors, and remain a valued member of the local community. Many of our employees have enjoyed working at PTPC for the greater part of their careers; we have employees with 20, 25, 30, even 35 years of service. PTPC is proud to provide good, prevailing wage jobs on the Olympic Peninsula.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing.
- Mentor payroll staff while establishing performance expectations and promoting continuous improvement.
- Oversee payroll audits, ensuring earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefit withholdings, and special payments are processed accurately.
- Review and approve payroll registers, reconciliations, and exception reports prior to payroll processing.
- Investigate and resolve complex payroll discrepancies, employee concerns, and system issues.
- Oversee Washington State payroll compliance, including Labor & Industries (L&I), Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML), workers' compensation reporting, and other state reporting requirements.
- Ensure accurate payroll tax reporting, deposits, filings, and year-end processing, including W-2 reporting and regulatory compliance.
- Manage payroll-related general ledger reconciliations and ensure payroll expenses are accurately recorded.
- Oversee benefit reconciliations, including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, HSA/FSA, life insurance, and voluntary deductions.
- Review and approve Group Term Life (GTL) imputed income calculations to ensure compliance with IRS regulations and accurate taxable wage reporting.
- Approve payroll-related journal entries and support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close activities.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, union agreements, and company policies.
- Oversee payroll reporting for internal and external audits and coordinate responses to audit requests.
- Maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls to minimize risk and strengthen compliance.
- Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and payroll system enhancements to improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Serve as the payroll system administrator for HRIS/payroll platforms, including system testing, upgrades, and process improvements.
- Develop payroll metrics, dashboards, KPIs, labor cost analyses, headcount reporting, overtime trends, and workforce analytics for executive leadership.
- Manage relationships with payroll vendors, benefit providers, and regulatory agencies.
- Stay current on changes to payroll laws, tax regulations, and industry best practices, ensuring organizational compliance.
- Serve as the organization's primary payroll subject matter expert and provide guidance to leadership on payroll, taxation, compliance, and payroll accounting matters.

Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field required.
- CPP certification preferred or required within two years of hire.
- Minimum of 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including payroll management or supervisory responsibilities.
- Extensive knowledge of payroll accounting, payroll taxes, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial reporting.
- Strong knowledge of Washington State payroll compliance, including L&I, PFML, workers' compensation, GTL imputed income, and applicable labor laws.
- Experience managing multi-state payroll operations preferred.
- Strong understanding of wage and hour laws, garnishments, employee benefits, union payroll requirements, and payroll compliance.
- Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Paycom or similar enterprise payroll platforms.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, pivot tables, lookup functions, reconciliations, and reporting.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in manufacturing, union environments, and complex payroll operations preferred.
- Experience leading payroll audits, payroll system implementations, and process improvement initiatives preferred.
Employment Terms
- Full Time, exempt position
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Salary Range: $103,500-$160,500
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
- Paid time off, 9 holidays, and 1 personal holiday day
- Retirement plan with 4% match plus an additional 2% annual contribution
Employment is contingent on authorization to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check.
Port Townsend Paper Company is an equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free workplace