Payroll Specialist

Payroll & Accounts Payable Associate

Vacuum Process Engineering, Inc., known as VPE, is an exciting special-process manufacturing company for defense, semiconductor, energy markets that is growing. VPE technologies have applications in defense, medical, semiconductor, energy, and commercial aviation. There is never a dull day at VPE; we’ve been in business for 45 years and have 5 buildings with over 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. We are seeking an additional team member for our accounting team; an individual with good work ethics that is seeking a long-term career with a stable company.

Pay Range: $25-30/hour, depending on experience and capabilities

Position Summary

The Payroll & Accounts Payable Associate is responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely execution of payroll and accounts payable functions. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities, and a commitment to maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to manage sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.

Primary Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Administer weekly and bi‑weekly payroll cycles for hourly, salaried, and contracted employees with a high degree of accuracy
• Validate timekeeping data, including hours worked, overtime, PTO, and wage adjustments
• Maintain and update employee payroll records, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Process payroll‑related changes, including new hires, terminations, compensation adjustments, and benefit deductions
• Reconcile payroll reports and support month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end activities, including W‑2 preparation and audit requests
• Provide timely and professional support to employees regarding payroll inquiries

Accounts Payable Operations

• Review, code, and process vendor invoices in accordance with company policies
• Perform three‑way matching of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices
• Prepare and execute weekly payment runs, including checks, ACH, and wire transfers
• Maintain accurate vendor records and ensure proper collection of W‑9 documentation
• Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner
• Assist with month‑end closing activities, including AP accruals and reporting

Qualifications

• 5 years of minimum payroll experience; multi‑state payroll experience strongly preferred
• 5 years of accounts payable experience
• Solid understanding of payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements
• Proficiency with payroll systems (ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, UKG, etc.) and accounting software (JobBOSS, etc.)
• Strong Excel skills, including the ability to work with formulas, VLOOKUP, and pivot tables
• Exceptional accuracy, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Core Competencies

• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Proactive, resourceful, and committed to continuous improvement
• Team‑oriented with a customer‑service mindset

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting payroll and AP in a multi‑entity or high‑volume environment
• Exposure to general ledger processes or basic accounting principles
• Familiarity with 1099 processing and year‑end AP reporting