Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

Norton Packaging is a multi-site rigid plastic injection molding manufacturer with its corporate office in Hayward, CA and plant operations in Vernon, CA, Hamlet, IN, and Monticello, GA. The Payroll & HR Specialist is based at the Hayward corporate office and serves as the primary owner of multi-state payroll processing across all locations. This role sits at the intersection of payroll, HR administration, and accounting support — partnering closely with the HR team, the finance function, and plant leadership to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll while also contributing to core HR administrative operations. The position reports directly to the Director of Human Resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Compliance

• Process weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly payroll for hourly and salaried employees across all Norton Packaging locations in California, Indiana, and Georgia
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, direct deposit, and tax withholding elections
• Ensure compliance with multi-state wage and hour laws, including California overtime, meal and rest period premiums, and final pay requirements
• Administer garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other mandatory deductions in accordance with applicable law and court orders
• Reconcile payroll registers and resolve discrepancies prior to each payroll run
• Process off-cycle and manual checks as needed, including final paychecks per state-specific requirements
• Coordinate with plant managers and supervisors to collect and validate timekeeping data, including shift differentials, overtime, and missed punches
• Prepare and submit payroll tax filings (federal, state, and local) and ensure timely payment of payroll taxes across all jurisdictions
• Support year-end processes including W-2 preparation, ACA reporting, and payroll system reconciliation
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner

HR Administration

• Partner with HR on leave of absence pay administration, including workers' compensation, FMLA/CFRA, and state disability (SDI/PFL)
• Assist with workers' compensation audits, unemployment claims, and employment verification requests
• Maintain HR and payroll documentation in compliance with record retention requirements

Accounting & Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with the accounting function to provide payroll data, journal entries, and reconciliations in support of month-end close
• Assist with internal and external audits requiring payroll or HR data
• Support HR, Finance, and leadership with special projects and due diligence activities as needed

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
•  Minimum 3–5 years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a manufacturing or multi-site environment
• Experience with multi-state payroll, including California, strongly preferred
• Prior exposure to HR administrative functions (onboarding, HRIS, benefits) a plus
• Familiarity with payroll/HRIS systems (e.g., ADP, Paylocity, Paycom, UKG) required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of federal and multi-state payroll tax regulations and wage and hour law
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HRIS/payroll platforms
• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities across multiple plant locations
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact professionally with employees at all levels
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus given workforce demographics

Working Conditions

• Office environment at the Hayward, CA corporate office
• Subject to regular deadlines associated with payroll cycles
• Sitting for extended periods; regular use of computer and phone

Compensation

Norton Packaging offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off.

Norton Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.