Payroll & HRIS manager

Job Summary

The Payroll Manager is responsible for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing. This role requires deep expertise with UKG Pros payroll system, strong analytical skills, and the ability to support a diverse workforce that includes restaurant teams, field-based employees, and corporate personnel. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment and brings a high level of precision, confidentiality, and customer service.

Essential Responsibilities

• Verifies and ensures that all payroll and benefits transactions are processed and reported in a timely and accurate manner.
• Owns the system data and provides all necessary business reports, statistics and compliance reports as scheduled and requested.
• Ensures and maintains compliance with all federal, state and/or local regulations and reporting-related payroll/benefits processes.
• Processes, reviews and analyzes vendor-provided documents and reports in order to validate invoices, track trends, service metrics and other statistical data against services provided.
• Process biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using UKG Pro, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review and validate timesheets for accuracy in recording overtime, holidays and other special considerations.
• Maintain payroll records in UKG Pro, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments.
• Ensure accurate benefit deductions through review and reconciliation of deductions, prorating calculations, and processing updates in UKG.
• Review and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission; proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and internal controls.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, system functionality and compliance, ensuring adherence to FLSA, multi-state wage and tax laws, and company policies.
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for Finance and Operations leadership.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefits, audits, reconciliations, and related compliance reporting.
• Review payroll tax filings, reconcile payroll tax liabilities, and coordinate with UKG to resolve notices and discrepancies.
• Support internal and external audits, providing documentation and explanations as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and data integrity at all times.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing clear and timely communication.
• Educate employees and managers on payroll processes, timekeeping expectations, and UKG Pro self-service tools.
• Partner with HR to resolve discrepancies or complex payroll issues.
• Responsible for validating benefit enrollments, life event changes, and benefits data audits.
• Collaborate with the HR team to ensure alignment between payroll and benefits data, especially for deductions, arrears, and taxable benefits.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements.
• High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis).
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Detail-driven - catches discrepancies before they become issues.
• Tech-savvy - leverages UKG Pro to its fullest potential.
• Service-oriented - supports employees with clarity and empathy.
• Deadline-focused - thrives in a predictable payroll cycle with occasional project-driven urgency.
• Proactive - anticipates issues and implements solutions before they impact employees.
• Collaborative - partners seamlessly with HR, Finance, and administrative teams.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field of work or equivalent combination of education and work-related experience; Master's Degree a plus
• 10+ years of related experience with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines, technologies, and processes related to the position as well as managing teams and/or significant complex projects
• Strong Human Resources background and experience; previous experience working in a high volume, multi-location organization preferred

Physical Demands

• Exert up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including papers, boxes and/or computer equipment.

About Chicken Salad Chick

• Chicken Salad Chick is the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept. Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, and Serving Others is our purpose.
• Our brand provides the highest quality ingredients and offers our guests a happy and welcoming feel and decor, specializing in a wide variety of fresh, house-made chicken salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts.