Payroll Operations Manager

It's exciting to work for a company that makes the world measurably better. We're committed to bringing safety, quality, and customer focus to the business of advanced ceramics manufacturing. Job Title Payroll Operations Manager As the Payroll Operations Manager, you will own U.S. payroll operations for a multi-state manufacturing workforce: accurate and compliant processing, payroll tax, timekeeping, vendor management, internal controls, and audit readiness.

You will serve as the company’s subject matter expert on Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos Workforce Management, and drives efficiency through automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. Works independently with guidance in only the most complex or precedent-setting matters.

Roles & Responsibilities Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant U.S. payroll across multiple states. Own the payroll calendar end to end — deadlines, approvals, funding, quarter-end and year-end close, tax reconciliations, and W-2 issuance. Own configuration, administration, and integration of Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos, maintaining data integrity across time, earnings, deductions, taxes, and garnishments.

Interpret and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, shift premiums, garnishments, and deductions affecting an hourly workforce. Build and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls; lead payroll audits and keep documentation audit-ready.

Manage payroll vendors — service levels, regulatory filings, reconciliations, and issue resolution. Build reporting and exception dashboards that surface anomalies, trends, and compliance risk before payroll runs. Investigate complex payroll issues, resolve them, and correct the root cause. Partner with HRIS, IT, Finance, Accounting, Tax, Legal, and plant leadership on system releases, testing, integrations, acquisitions, and process changes.

Apply automation and AI-enabled tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience within privacy and compliance requirements.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Experience 8+ years of progressively responsible multi-state U.S. payroll and timekeeping experience, including payroll service delivery in a shared services, outsourced, or vendor-managed model. Hands-on Workday Payroll experience — required.

Hands-on UKG/Kronos Workforce Management experience — required. Payroll tax compliance, wage and hour regulations, garnishments, deductions, reconciliations, payroll accounting, and audits. Payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or process transitions. Preferred: large hourly manufacturing or industrial workforce experience; CPP certification; SOX control environment.

Functional / Technical Skills Expert knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations. Advanced proficiency in Workday Payroll and UKG/Kronos. Advanced payroll accounting — reconciliations, general ledger impacts, funding, and controls. Strong analytical skills; identifies anomalies and performs root cause analysis.

Uses AI, automation, and reporting tools effectively while protecting compliance and data privacy. Influences stakeholders and leads cross-functional initiatives without direct authority. Advanced Excel and reporting capability. Clear communicator and project manager; works effectively across cultures, functions, and sites.

Target Hiring Range Annual Salary: USD 103,040.00

• USD 136,013.00 Actual compensation is commensurate with experience, skills and education. CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors. Do not provide any information on the application which will indicate your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation. If you like working for a company that makes a real difference in the world, you'll enjoy your career with us!