Description

Join the always-growing family at Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese! Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

Reports To: Senior Accountant

Status: Non-Exempt/Full Time Hourly

Supervises: None 

General Description: The Payroll Specialist’s primary responsibility is to accurately process and record the Creamery’s payroll. This role serves as a core team member of the finance function and a key partner to the HR function. This position is responsible for implementing process improvement to optimize electronic data entry, access, and reporting for payroll. Success in this role will require a creative and collaborative mindset with skills in multitasking, employment law, effective communication, and problem solving. The Payroll Specialist should be knowledgeable about human capital software and be familiar with federal, state, and local laws regarding employment, tax, and payroll. 

Duties and Responsibilities include the following.

• Accurately and timely process weekly/biweekly payroll. 
• Balance payroll general ledger accounts monthly. 
• Regularly maintain payroll system (Paylocity). 
• Apply knowledge of FLSA to tasks. 
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports. 
• Prepare and maintain semi-monthly and monthly ad-hoc reporting.
• Process employee garnishments, and benefit deductions.
• Resolve employee questions and issues by accurately interpreting and communicating payroll policies and procedures.
• Maintain and update procedure manual for payroll processing and assist in training of other staff on the payroll system in a “super-user” role.
• Work with pay vendor for technical issues with time-reporting systems and resolves any discrepancies.
• Understand taxability of employee benefits. 
• Understand federal and state overtime rules. 
• Maintain the chart of accounts and build journal entries for accounting.
• Prepare Quarterly and Annual payroll returns for both federal and state taxes.
• Lead special projects related to payroll function.
• Support 401k and payroll related audits.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Required (Basic) Education / Experience/ Competencies and Other Skills:

• Critical for success is a strong attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality to process sensitive information.
• Must be a self-starter and able to work under minimal supervision.
• Possess proficiency in MS Word, Excel, database programs and accounting/payroll platforms; preferably experience with Paylocity. 
• 2 years of payroll experience.
• Associate degree required in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. 
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn new things and accept new challenges. 
• Sense of urgency to handle a variety of projects and meet required deadlines, and able to deal with urgent and/or unexpected matters that may arise. 
• Deliver exemplary customer service through strong ownership and professionalism.
• CPP or FPC designation is a plus! 

Physical Demands

• Operate normal office equipment. 
• Extensive computer use. 
• Pass a drug & alcohol screen as well as a general background check.

Work Environment:

• Office environment with some travel to other locations in the company possible. 
• Food plant environment; must adhere to all food and plant safety policies and regulations.

*Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without company sponsorship, now or in the future, for employment-based work authorization. F-1 visa holders with Optional Practical Training (OPT) who will require H-1B status, TNs, or current H-1B visa holders will not be considered. H1-B and green card sponsorship is not available for this position.

ABOUT ELLSWORTH COOPERATIVE CREAMERY: At Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, our team members are more than employees; you are like family and we want you to succeed. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.