What are the responsibilities and job description for the Payroll Manager position at Proficient Auto Logistics?
About Proficient Auto Logistics
Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL) is a leading specialized freight company focused on providing auto transportation and logistics services. Formed via IPO in May 2024, PAL combined five industry-leading operating companies, and has since acquired two additional operating companies. As a combined entity, we operate one of the largest auto transportation fleets in North America with 55 terminal locations and nearly 750 employees, a majority of whom are drivers.
We offer a broad range of auto transportation and logistics services, primarily focused on transporting finished vehicles from automotive production facilities, marine ports of entry, or regional rail yards to auto dealerships around the country. We have developed a differentiated business model due to our scale, breadth of geographic coverage, and embedded customer relationships with leading auto original equipment manufacturing companies (OEMs).
Job Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for the overall execution, accuracy, and governance of the Company’s payroll function. This role owns the end-to-end payroll cycle, including oversight of a third-party payroll provider, and ensures timely, compliant payroll delivery across a multi-state, driver-heavy workforce. This position serves as the internal owner of payroll operations, vendor performance, and control environment, partnering closely with HR, Operations, and Accounting/Tax.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL) is a leading specialized freight company focused on providing auto transportation and logistics services. Formed via IPO in May 2024, PAL combined five industry-leading operating companies, and has since acquired two additional operating companies. As a combined entity, we operate one of the largest auto transportation fleets in North America with 55 terminal locations and nearly 750 employees, a majority of whom are drivers.
We offer a broad range of auto transportation and logistics services, primarily focused on transporting finished vehicles from automotive production facilities, marine ports of entry, or regional rail yards to auto dealerships around the country. We have developed a differentiated business model due to our scale, breadth of geographic coverage, and embedded customer relationships with leading auto original equipment manufacturing companies (OEMs).
Job Summary
The Payroll Manager is responsible for the overall execution, accuracy, and governance of the Company’s payroll function. This role owns the end-to-end payroll cycle, including oversight of a third-party payroll provider, and ensures timely, compliant payroll delivery across a multi-state, driver-heavy workforce. This position serves as the internal owner of payroll operations, vendor performance, and control environment, partnering closely with HR, Operations, and Accounting/Tax.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Own and manage the full payroll cycle, including timelines, data streams, processing, and funding
- Review and approve payroll for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
- Serve as primary liaison with third-party payroll provider; manage SLAs, performance, and escalations
- Oversee payroll execution for complex compensation structures, including driver pay (percentage pay, per diem, incentives, etc.)
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws and payroll tax requirements
- Establish and maintain strong internal controls over payroll inputs, approvals, and changes
- Partner with HR business partners to ensure accurate employee and compensation data
- Perform individual-level analysis to investigate pay inquiries and/or demonstrate the proper mechanics of compensation elements
- Partner with Accounting on payroll funding, reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting
- Work with HR and Tax resources, as needed, to ensure payroll tax is withheld and remitted properly for all applicable jurisdictions
- Support internal and external audits and build toward SOX readiness
- Drive process improvements, standardization, and scalability across payroll operations
- 6–10 years of payroll experience, including leadership responsibility
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field preferred
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
- Experience managing payroll through a third-party provider
- Multi-state payroll experience required; transportation or driver-based workforce preferred
- Strong understanding of wage & hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and compliance
- Experience overseeing complex compensation structures and variable pay elements
- Technically proficient, with advanced data management experience and ability to work across several tools and platforms to synthesize data; vision for further automation opportunities
- Experience serving as the primary subject matter expert (SME) for payroll processes, data streams and end-to-end success factors
- Demonstrated ability to manage vendors and cross-functional stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to operate under deadlines
- Ability to work independently and solve day-to-day issues to avoid delays or errors in payroll
- High sense of urgency and ability to work issues across multiple parties effectively
- Good business acumen and judgment to both identify and question anomalies, to avoid pay errors before they occur
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.