About the Payroll Specialist Role

Join Robert Half's esteemed client, a dynamic logistics organization in Newark, New Jersey, as a Payroll Specialist. This exciting contract-to-permanent position offers a prime opportunity to leverage your payroll expertise in a fast-paced environment managing payroll for a large, multi-division workforce. As a key player in ensuring seamless payroll operations, you'll contribute directly to the organization's success by delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll services. Ideal for detail-oriented professionals passionate about payroll systems, regulatory compliance, and exceptional employee support, this role combines technical precision with interpersonal communication. Located in the heart of Newark, NJ, this position provides stability, growth potential, and exposure to complex payroll challenges including union reconciliations and incentive processing. Robert Half specializes in connecting top talent like you with rewarding opportunities in human resources and finance.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role, your responsibilities will span the full payroll lifecycle, from data collection to reporting and issue resolution:

• Accurately process bi-weekly or monthly payroll for hundreds of employees across multiple divisions, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as well as internal policies.
• Collect, scrutinize, and verify timekeeping data from various sources, maintaining impeccable employee records to prevent errors and disputes.
• Expertly enter and update payroll data in advanced HRIS and payroll platforms like ADP, Workday, or UKG, demonstrating unwavering attention to detail.
• Provide prompt, professional responses to payroll inquiries from employees, managers, and executives, swiftly resolving discrepancies to maintain trust and satisfaction.
• Generate comprehensive payroll reports, analytics, and summaries for senior leadership and finance teams, enabling data-driven strategic decisions.
• Administer compensation payouts via direct deposits, paper checks, and digital statements, ensuring every employee is paid correctly and on time.
• Handle complex calculations for overtime, garnishments, deductions, bonuses, and variances, adapting to unique payroll scenarios.
• Reconcile monthly union invoices meticulously, verifying payments align with collective bargaining agreements to avoid penalties or disputes.
• Process special payouts like referral bonuses and incentives, integrating data from recruiting, sales, and other departments seamlessly.
• Support broader payroll operations with administrative tasks, process improvements, and cross-training to enhance team efficiency.

Required Qualifications

To excel as our Payroll Specialist, you should possess:

• Proven experience in payroll processing, ideally in logistics, manufacturing, or unionized environments.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. payroll regulations, tax withholdings, FLSA, and state-specific laws for New Jersey.
• Proficiency with HRIS/payroll software (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Paychex, Ceridian) and Microsoft Excel for reporting.
• Exceptional organizational skills to manage high-volume data with zero tolerance for errors.
• Strong communication abilities for interacting with diverse stakeholders, from hourly workers to C-suite executives.
• Familiarity with union payroll processes, collective bargaining compliance, and multi-state payroll if applicable.
• Ability to thrive in a contract-to-hire setup, with a track record of transitioning to permanent roles.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, HR, Business, or related field preferred; certifications like CPP or FPC are a plus.

Candidates with 3+ years of hands-on payroll experience, especially in large-scale operations, will stand out. If you're searching for Payroll Specialist jobs in Newark, NJ, this Robert Half opportunity offers the perfect blend of challenge and reward.

Why Join Us?

Robert Half places you at the forefront of a thriving logistics firm where your payroll expertise drives operational excellence. Enjoy a competitive $31.35 hourly rate (approximately $65,273 annually based on full-time hours), with clear path to permanent employment including full benefits. Benefit from Newark's vibrant location, professional growth through complex projects, and the prestige of Robert Half's network. This role not only hones your skills in payroll compliance, union management, and HRIS but also positions you for advancement in finance and HR careers. Apply now to secure your future in payroll excellence!

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