HR Generalist - Payroll & Benefits

Position HR Generalist

• Payroll & Benefits Location Fremont, CA Reports to HR Business Partner Summary The HR Generalist – Payroll & Benefits is responsible for the accurate and compliant administration of payroll, benefits, HRIS, and employee records while providing comprehensive support across Human Resources operations. In addition to serving as the primary payroll and benefits resource, this position supports attendance administration, workforce reporting, performance management, staffing and operational needs, employee inquiries, and HR compliance activities. The HR Generalist works closely with the HR Business Partner, Operations leadership, supervisors, employees, staffing agencies, and external HR/payroll/benefits partners to ensure timely and effective HR support. The position is expected to provide broader HR department coverage and support day-to-day HR activities in the absence of the HR Business Partner.

Education

/ Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Minimum of 3 years of experience in Human Resources, payroll administration, benefits administration, HRIS, or a related HR function. Experience supporting a manufacturing, warehouse, or 24/7 hourly workforce preferred. Experience with HR reporting preferred.

Requirements

Strong understanding of payroll processes, benefits administration, HR practices, and applicable employment laws. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee information. Ability to support multiple HR functions and manage competing priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently while appropriately escalating complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters to the HR Business Partner.

Ability to provide HR support to employees and Operations across multiple shifts as business needs require. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Skills / Abilities Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records. Ability to support employee relations matters professionally, objectively, and confidentially. Ability to effectively communicate and partner with employees, supervisors, managers, staffing agencies, and external vendors. Proficient in HRIS/payroll systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and HR reporting tools.

Ability to prepare and analyze HR reports, workforce metrics, payroll data, and labor-cost information. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment. Duties / Responsibilities Lead the maintenance and administration of the HRIS system and ensure employee information is complete, accurate, and current.

Process biweekly payroll accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable legal and company requirements. Review, audit, and reconcile payroll inputs, including employee timecards, attendance incentives, salaried employee records, employee changes, additional earnings, deductions, retroactive pay, manual checks, and other payroll adjustments.

Review and reconcile Time & Attendance discrepancies and coordinate necessary corrections with supervisors and employees. Complete recurring daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly payroll, labor-cost, and related reporting in accordance with established deadlines. Prepare and review labor/time-control data and payroll-related reports for HR, Operations, Finance, Accounting, and management as required.

Coordinate staffing agency timecard reporting, reconcile agency hours, and maintain supporting documentation. Complete required post-payroll activities, including payroll reconciliations, payroll summaries, earnings registers, and payroll/401(k) entries into applicable company reporting or accounting systems. Serve as a primary resource for employee payroll questions and HRIS/payroll system troubleshooting.

Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, retirement, and other applicable plans. Process benefit enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, and terminations accurately and within required deadlines. Coordinate with benefits providers, brokers, payroll vendors, staffing agencies, and other external partners to resolve payroll and benefits-related issues.

Coordinate and support annual open enrollment and employee benefits education. Perform payroll and benefits audits and reconciliations to identify discrepancies and ensure accuracy and compliance. Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready payroll, benefits, reporting, and supporting documentation, including established file naming conventions and audit trails.

Performance Management Track required employee performance evaluations, including 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, six-month, annual, or other established review periods. Follow up with supervisors regarding outstanding performance reviews and required HR documentation. Maintain accurate records of completed evaluations and related employee actions.

HR Reporting & Metrics Prepare accurate and timely HR reports and workforce metrics, including headcount, workforce coverage, attendance/absenteeism, turnover, payroll, overtime, labor costs, staffing, performance evaluations, and employee relations activity. Prepare and maintain recurring month-end and monthly reports, including headcount, organizational data, temporary labor, labor-cost/budget analysis, and employee benefit cost information.

Monitor established HR KPIs and identify trends, discrepancies, and areas requiring management attention. Analyze and provide HR and workforce data to support workforce planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making. Ensure recurring HR reports are accurately reconciled, completed, maintained, and submitted within established reporting deadlines.

Compliance, Records & HR Administration Maintain complete, accurate, confidential, and audit-ready employee personnel records and HR documentation. Support internal and external HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance audits, including preparation and maintenance of required supporting documentation. Assist with the administration, implementation, and documentation of company policies, HR procedures, and compliance requirements.

Support required employee communications, acknowledgments, training documentation, and other compliance activities. Assist with HR projects, employee engagement activities, employee communications, and departmental initiatives. Identify and support opportunities to improve HR processes, employee service, administrative efficiency, and cost effectiveness, including continuous improvement (CIP) initiatives and documentation of measurable results where applicable.

Support payroll- and HR-related vendor invoice review, discrepancy resolution, vendor communication, and maintenance of supporting documentation for payment and audit purposes. Department Coverage & General HR Support Provide day-to-day HR department support and assist with departmental priorities as directed by the HR Business Partner.

Provide appropriate HR department coverage in the absence of the HR Business Partner and ensure urgent matters are appropriately addressed or escalated. Partner with Operations leadership to provide HR support for the site's 24/7 workforce. Assist other HR team members when workload, staffing, employee relations matters, operational requirements, or business priorities require additional support.

Perform other HR-related duties, projects, and assignments based on organizational needs and priorities. Physical Requirements / Working Conditions Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds, including files and office supplies. Standard office and manufacturing-site environment.

May require occasional extended or adjusted hours during payroll cycles, benefits open enrollment, employee relations matters, staffing shortages, audits, special projects, or other business-critical situations. May require interaction with employees and supervisors across multiple shifts in support of a 24/7 operation.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package. Opportunities for professional growth and development. Dynamic and collaborative work environment. Opportunity to develop experience across payroll, benefits, employee relations, HR operations, workforce management, and HR compliance. Equal Employment Opportunity EEO refers to fairness and equality of treatment for specific, designated protected classes as defined by law.

EEO means that the employer gives equal consideration for a job and terms and conditions of employment to all individuals and that the employer does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or sex. Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; however, hours may be adjusted as needed based on business and operational needs.