Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist — In-Office at Pita Way Headquarters

Location: Pita Way Corporate, 5425 Perry Dr, Unit 106, Waterford, MI 48329
Work arrangement: In-office at our Waterford headquarters. This opening is advertised through our Oakland County restaurants, but the work location is headquarters.
Starting annual salary: $55,000–$75,000

About the role:
Pita Way is looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to help deliver accurate, timely payroll across our restaurant operations. Payroll is the primary focus of this position, with additional HR Generalist responsibilities. You will work with leadership, store managers, accounting, and payroll providers to keep payroll accurate, resolve questions, and support our employees.

Payroll responsibilities:
• Prepare, review, and process payroll on schedule, obtaining required approvals before submission.
• Verify timecards, hours, overtime, PTO, tips, bonuses, pay rates, and approved adjustments; resolve discrepancies with managers.
• Maintain payroll records for new hires, transfers, pay changes, leave, and separations, including direct deposit and withholding information.
• Calculate and verify earnings, deductions, benefit and retirement contributions, garnishments, and net pay.
• Coordinate payroll corrections, retroactive adjustments, off-cycle payments, and final pay.
• Reconcile payroll registers, deductions, and funding totals with accounting and investigate variances.
• Coordinate payroll tax deposits, filings, and year-end forms with providers and accounting; review reports and help resolve notices.
• Answer employee payroll questions and document resolutions promptly and confidentially.
• Maintain secure payroll records, prepare reports, and support audits and employment verifications.
• Monitor applicable payroll requirements, follow company controls, and improve payroll procedures and system accuracy.
• Meet payroll deadlines, safeguard confidential information, maintain accurate documentation, and promptly escalate errors or compliance concerns.

Additional HR responsibilities may include:
• Support recruiting, interviews, onboarding, orientation, and offboarding.
• Maintain employee records and HR system data; assist with benefits, leave, and PTO administration.
• Respond to employee questions and support employee relations, investigations, and corrective-action documentation with leadership.
• Assist with policies, employment compliance, training, performance reviews, HR reporting, and other assigned HR duties.

What we're looking for:
• Hands-on payroll processing experience and an understanding of timekeeping, earnings, deductions, and payroll reconciliation.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to meet recurring deadlines.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies and communicate clearly with employees, managers, accounting, and payroll providers.
• Comfort working with payroll/HR systems and spreadsheets.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee information.
• Ability to work in-office at our Waterford headquarters.
• Experience supporting payroll across multiple locations and assisting with HR responsibilities is a plus.

Compensation and benefits:
• Starting salary of $55,000–$75,000 per year.
• Performance evaluation after 90 days; this review does not guarantee a salary increase.
• Company-sponsored health insurance eligibility after 30 days, subject to benefit program terms.
• Two weeks of PTO available after 90 days, subject to approval and company policy.
• 401(k) participation eligibility after one year, subject to plan terms.
• $100 monthly cell phone allowance.
Benefits are administered according to applicable company policies and plan documents.

How to apply:
Apply through this posting and include your resume highlighting your payroll experience.

Pita Way is a fast-growing restaurant company built around fresh food, strong teams, and a commitment to creating a great experience for both our guests and our employees.

What started as a single restaurant has grown into a multi-location organization with approximately 55 restaurants and two additional developing concepts. As we continue expanding, we are focused on building the systems, leadership, and support teams needed to grow the right way.

Our culture is fast-paced, hands-on, and team-oriented. We value people who take ownership, communicate well, solve problems, and are comfortable working in an environment where no two days are exactly the same.

At Pita Way, our support team works closely with restaurant leadership to help our locations operate successfully, develop strong teams, and maintain consistency as the company grows.

This is an exciting time to join Pita Way. Our continued expansion creates opportunities for team members to grow with the organization, take on meaningful responsibility, and play a direct role in helping shape the future of the company.