Payroll & Leave of Absence Specialist (3-Month Contract)

Katzman Produce is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll & Leave of Absence Specialist for a three-month contract assignment to support payroll processing, time and attendance, and leave administration. The role is responsible for reviewing employee time and attendance information, processing payroll changes and deductions, maintaining accurate payroll records, and responding to employee payroll questions.

This role also includes the daily administration of coordinating leave requests and documentation, tracks employees throughout the leave process, and ensures accurate return-to-work and timekeeping records. This position requires a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, organization, and follow-through. The Payroll Specialist will work closely with Human Resources, Accounting, department managers, and employees in a fast-paced produce and distribution environment.

Essential Duties

& Responsibilities Process weekly payroll accurately and within established deadlines for multiple entities. Review employee timecards and attendance records for completeness and accuracy. Verify regular hours, overtime, paid time off, holiday pay, and other payroll-related earnings. Research missing punches, timekeeping discrepancies, and other exceptions and coordinate corrections with supervisors and managers.

Process new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, bonuses, deductions, direct deposit changes, and other payroll adjustments. Maintain accurate employee payroll records and supporting documentation. Review payroll reports and perform pre-payroll audits to identify and correct discrepancies before payroll is finalized.

Process garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, benefit deductions, and other authorized or legally required deductions. Respond to employee questions regarding paychecks, hours, deductions, taxes, direct deposits, and other payroll matters. Research and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly and professionally.

Coordinate with Human Resources regarding employee status changes, benefits, paid time off, leaves, and other employee information affecting payroll. Work with Finance to reconcile payroll-related accounts and provide payroll reports and supporting documentation. Assist with payroll tax reporting, quarterly and year-end activities, including W-2 processing.

Support internal and external payroll audits and provide requested documentation. Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour requirements. Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, payroll, banking, tax, and personal information. Maintain organized payroll files and records in accordance with company policies and applicable record-retention requirements.

Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, accuracy, and efficiency. Perform additional payroll, HR, and administrative duties as assigned. Serve as a primary point of contact for employees requesting or currently on a leave of absence. Coordinate the leave-of-absence process from initial employee notification through return to work.

Provide employees with applicable leave information, forms, notices, and documentation requirements. Track leave requests, approvals, documentation, start dates, expected return dates, extensions, and actual return-to-work dates. Maintain regular and appropriate communication with employees throughout the leave process.

Handle daily occurrences that received for employee who leave ill-not work related. Coordinate administration of applicable federal, state, company-provided, and other approved leaves. Assist with administration and tracking of FMLA and applicable state family and medical leave programs. Coordinate with HR management and benefits providers regarding disability-related leaves, workers' compensation-related absences, parental leave, personal leaves, and other applicable leave programs.

Review leave documentation for completeness and follow up regarding outstanding information. Maintain accurate leave balances, usage, and supporting documentation. Track intermittent and continuous leave as applicable. Coordinate approved leave information in line with payroll to ensure accurate treatment of paid and unpaid time.

Notify appropriate supervisors and managers of an employee's approved leave status and anticipated duration while protecting confidential medical information. Monitor upcoming leave expirations and proactively communicate with employees regarding extensions or return-to-work requirements. Coordinate return-to-work documentation and ensure required approvals or releases are received when applicable.

Update employee status, schedules, timekeeping information, and HR records upon return from leave. Escalate complex leave, accommodation, compliance, or employee-relations matters to HR management as appropriate. Maintain confidential leave and medical documentation separately and in accordance with applicable requirements.

Maintain a centralized leave tracker to ensure deadlines, notices, documentation, and follow-up activities are completed timely. Assist with leave-related reporting, audits, and recordkeeping.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred. 2+ years of payroll-related experience preferred. Experience processing payroll for an hourly workforce. Knowledge of payroll practices, timekeeping, overtime, payroll taxes, deductions, and wage and hour requirements.

Experience working with payroll and time-and-attendance systems preferred. Experience administering or supporting employee leaves of absence preferred. Familiarity with FMLA, state leave programs, disability leave, workers' compensation-related absences, and other common leave programs preferred. Experience supporting a large hourly workforce is strongly preferred.

Proficiency in UKG and Microsoft Suite. Strong mathematical and analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail. Ability to prioritize responsibilities and consistently meet strict payroll deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to investigate discrepancies and follow issues through to resolution.

Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, management, Human Resources, and Finance. Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information. Experience in produce, food distribution, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, or another fast-paced operation is a plus.

Key Competencies Accuracy & Attention to Detail: Consistently reviews payroll information for completeness and accuracy. Confidentiality & Integrity: Handles sensitive employee and compensation information appropriately. Accountability: Takes ownership of payroll responsibilities and ensures deadlines are met. Organization: Effectively manages payroll documentation, recurring deadlines, and multiple priorities.

Problem-Solving: Investigates discrepancies, identifies their cause, and works with the appropriate parties to resolve them. Communication & Service: Provides employees and managers with professional, timely, and helpful payroll support. Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with Human Resources, Accounting, Operations, supervisors, and other departments.

Adaptability: Works effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven produce and distribution environment. Pay: $34 - $35 per hour Schedule: Full-Time; M-F Position: Contract 3 Months