Payroll Specialist - Rockford Area

Payroll Specialist | Rockford, MI

Salary Range: $53,000 - $80,000 depending on experience

Are you ready to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity in {{role_field}}? The Pivot Group is committed to building meaningful connections in manufacturing. We partner with leading companies in Rockford seeking Payroll Specialists.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Rockford region seeking Payroll Specialists. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly/weekly payroll for a multi-shift manufacturing workforce, including hourly and salaried employees.
• Verify and reconcile timekeeping data, ensuring correct application of overtime, shift differentials, and paid time off in accordance with company policy and labor laws.
• Calculate and process all payroll deductions, including taxes, benefits, garnishments, and 401(k) contributions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and company policies, including FLSA and other relevant labor laws.
• Prepare and submit all required payroll tax filings (e.g., 941s, W-2s) and respond to tax notices and inquiries.
• Generate and distribute various payroll reports for accounting, HR, and management analysis.
• Respond to and resolve employee payroll inquiries and discrepancies promptly and professionally.
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations.

Recommended Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience processing multi-state payroll, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Proficiency with major payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paychex) and integrated time and attendance systems.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, and FLSA compliance.
• Proven ability to accurately calculate complex pay structures, including overtime, shift differentials, and bonuses.
• Strong analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail to ensure payroll accuracy and resolve discrepancies.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience processing payroll in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with major ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor) for payroll integration.
• Advanced Excel skills for complex labor cost analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with time & attendance systems common in manufacturing (e.g., Kronos, ADP eTime).
• Understanding of payroll complexities related to shift differentials or production bonuses.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Payroll Specialist, Payroll Administrator, Payroll Coordinator, Payroll Analyst, Payroll Clerk, Senior Payroll Specialist, HR Payroll Specialist, Benefits and Payroll Specialist, Payroll Officer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.