Global Payroll Manager

Position Summary

Trew is seeking a Global Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll operations across the company's expanding multinational footprint — spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, India, and multiple European countries. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery for a diverse workforce that includes salaried professionals, hourly manufacturing and warehouse employees, field service technicians, and mobile workers. As Trew continues to scale rapidly, the Global Payroll Manager will play a critical role in building a unified, scalable payroll infrastructure that supports the company's growth while maintaining strict compliance and an exceptional employee experience. The ideal candidate combines deep multi-country payroll expertise with the operational mindset to build processes and systems from the ground up in a fast-moving, PE-backed environment.

Key Responsibilities

• U.S. Payroll Operations: Oversee accurate, timely processing of U.S. payroll for a diverse workforce — including salaried, hourly (manufacturing, warehouse, field service), and commission-eligible employees. Manage multi-state payroll tax withholding, reciprocity agreements, and registrations across all states where Trew has employees or performs project-based installation and service work. Ensure compliance with FLSA, state wage and hour laws, prevailing wage requirements (where applicable), and garnishment processing.
• International Payroll Operations: Manage or oversee payroll processing in Canada, Mexico, India, and European countries — either through in-house teams, local providers, or a global payroll aggregator. Ensure accurate and compliant payroll delivery in each jurisdiction, including statutory deductions (Canada CPP/EI, Mexico IMSS/INFONAVIT/ISR, India PF/ESI/Professional Tax, European social security contributions), local tax withholding, and mandated employee reporting.
• Global Payroll Strategy & Integration: Develop and execute a global payroll operating model that balances standardization with local compliance requirements. Evaluate and implement a global payroll platform or aggregator (e.g., ADP GlobalView, Deel, Papaya Global, CloudPay) to provide consolidated visibility, reporting, and process consistency across all countries. Define and document global payroll policies, calendars, and SLAs.
• Payroll Compliance & Regulatory: Serve as the subject matter expert on payroll-related compliance across all jurisdictions. Stay current on evolving wage, tax, and labor regulations — including U.S. multi-state complexities, Mexico's profit-sharing (PTU) and outsourcing reform (REPSE), India's new Labour Codes, Canadian payroll tax changes, and European Works Council / country-specific requirements. Ensure all statutory filings and remittances are completed accurately and on time (e.g., U.S. W-2s/941s, Canadian T4s, Mexican CFDI payroll stamps, Indian Form 16/24Q).
• Field Service & Mobile Workforce Payroll: Manage the payroll complexities associated with Trew's field service technicians and project installation teams who travel across state and national borders. Address multi-state and cross-border withholding, per diem, travel reimbursement, short-term business traveler rules, and shadow payroll requirements where applicable.
• Incentive Compensation: Administer payroll processing for annual bonuses and variable incentive plans. Coordinate with Tax and Finance on proper reporting and withholding, including international compensation tax obligations.
• Time & Attendance Integration: Partner with HR and Operations to manage the integration between time and attendance systems and payroll, particularly for hourly manufacturing and field service employees. Ensure accurate capture of overtime, shift differentials, PTO, statutory leave (e.g., Mexico's aguinaldo, India's earned leave encashment, European statutory holidays), and other pay elements.
• Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation: Partner with the Controllership team to ensure accurate payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals across all entities and currencies. Support month-end and year-end close processes with timely, accurate payroll data. Ensure intercompany payroll charges are properly allocated for cross-border employees.
• Expatriate & Global Mobility Payroll: Support payroll for internationally assigned employees, including expatriate tax equalization, hypothetical tax calculations, split payroll arrangements, and coordination with global mobility advisors and immigration counsel.
• Systems & Technology: Own the global payroll technology stack, including payroll engines, time & attendance platforms, and interfaces with HRIS (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG, BambooHR) and ERP (e.g., Oracle). Drive automation, eliminate manual processes, and implement controls to reduce errors and fraud risk. Manage vendor relationships with payroll providers and aggregators.
• Data, Reporting & Analytics: Deliver global payroll reporting and analytics, including headcount and labor cost reporting by region, entity, and cost center. Support Finance and HR with data for budgeting, forecasting, and workforce planning. Ensure data integrity across payroll and HR systems.
• Audit & Internal Controls: Maintain robust internal controls over payroll processes globally. Support internal and external audits with timely, organized documentation. Ensure SOX-readiness of payroll controls as the company matures.
• Team Development: Build, lead, and develop a global payroll team — including in-house staff and external provider relationships. Establish standard operating procedures, cross-training, and a culture of accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement. Develop regional payroll expertise within the team as the international footprint grows.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field. CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) required; Global Payroll Management Certificate (e.g., APA/GPA) a strong plus.
• 8–12 years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3–5 years managing multi-country payroll operations.
• Deep expertise in U.S. multi-state payroll, including FLSA, wage and hour, payroll tax, and year-end reporting. Experience with hourly/manufacturing payroll populations is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience managing payroll in Canada, Mexico, India, and Germany. Experience in other European and Asian countries preferred. Working knowledge of statutory requirements, social contributions, and tax withholding in these markets.
• Experience implementing or managing a global payroll platform or aggregator (ADP, Deel, Papaya Global, CloudPay, or similar).
• Prior experience in a PE-backed or high-growth environment where payroll processes and systems were built or significantly scaled.
• Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or field-service environment with a mobile workforce is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting, reconciliation, and internal controls.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (ADP, Workday, UKG, BambooHR, or similar) and ERP systems (Oracle, NetSuite, or similiar).
• Exceptional attention to detail combined with the ability to see the big picture and drive strategic improvements.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to partner effectively with HR, Finance, Tax, Legal, and Operations stakeholders.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Spanish is a strong plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally (10–15%) to support payroll operations and vendor relationships.
  
  

Work Environment

This is primarily a desk-based role requiring extended periods of sitting and computer use. The position may require occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, customer sites, or vendor locations for meetings, implementations, and stakeholder engagement. While primarily office-based, mobility within the office and manufacturing facility may be required for collaboration with colleagues across departments.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Ability to traverse office, manufacturing facility, and customer sites as needed.

Trew EEO Statement

Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.