Payroll Manager

Benefits: Signode offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, which includes health, dental, vision, 401k, paid time off, life insurance, wellness perks, and more. Benefits begin the month following the hire date. Salary: The annual salary for this position ranges from $115,000 - $129,500 and varies based on specific responsibilities and geographic location. Starting annual salary within this range will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and/or skillset.   Summary The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading and managing payroll operations for the United States and Canada, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for employees across North America. This role provides direct oversight of payroll administration, payroll tax compliance, year-end reporting, audits, reconciliations, and payroll vendor management. In addition to managing U.S. and Canadian payroll operations, the Payroll Manager serves as a key partner to regional HR, Finance, Benefits, and external providers to support payroll governance, process improvements, and compliance initiatives. The role acts as the primary payroll subject matter expert for North America while collaborating with global stakeholders to promote consistency in payroll practices and employee experience. Essential Functions U.S. & Canada Payroll Operations Manage and oversee end-to-end payroll processing for the United States and Canada, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all federal, state, provincial, and local regulations. Review and validate payroll transactions, including earnings, deductions, taxes, benefits, bonuses, commissions, and off-cycle payments. Ensure payroll data integrity through regular audits, reconciliations, and quality control processes. Lead payroll-related month-end, quarter-end, and year-end activities, including W-2, T4, and other required reporting. Partner with HR, Benefits, Finance, and HRIS teams to ensure accurate payroll inputs and employee records. Payroll Tax & Compliance Oversee payroll tax compliance for the U.S. and Canada, including tax filings, remittances, reconciliations, amendments, and regulatory reporting. Monitor changes to payroll legislation and tax regulations and implement process updates as needed. Support internal and external audits by maintaining payroll documentation, controls, and audit readiness. Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, garnishments, statutory requirements, and other payroll-related regulations. Identify and mitigate payroll compliance risks through effective controls, monitoring, and continuous process improvement. Payroll Systems & Vendor Management Manage relationships with payroll service providers and third-party vendors to ensure service quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness. Serve as the business owner for payroll systems and collaborate with HRIS, Finance, and IT teams on enhancements, integrations, testing, and issue resolution. Support payroll-related projects, system implementations, upgrades, and process automation initiatives. Maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and internal control standards. Reporting, Analytics & Process Improvement Develop and maintain payroll metrics, reporting, and dashboards to monitor performance, accuracy, compliance, and service delivery. Analyze payroll data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for operational improvement. Lead initiatives to streamline payroll processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the employee experience. Ensure payroll practices align with organizational policies and support broader HR and Finance objectives. Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert for U.S. and Canada payroll operations. Provide guidance and consultation to HR, Finance, Benefits, Legal, and business leaders on payroll-related matters. Communicate complex payroll, tax, and compliance topics effectively to stakeholders at all levels. Support organizational growth, acquisitions, and business changes by assessing payroll impacts and implementing required processes. Collaborate with global payroll and HR teams to promote consistency in governance, controls, and best practices where applicable. Required Skills/Abilities Strong understanding of  payroll compliance, tax regulations, data privacy, and governance models Hands-on experience with U.S. and Canadian payroll operations Proven experience working with global payroll vendors and in-country providers Experience with global payroll and HR systems (e.g., Dayforce, Workday, ADP, SAP, or similar) Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a strong focus on discretion and confidentiality. Strong analytical, organization, project management, and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to conduct root-cause analysis and drive continuous improvement. Experience handling complex payroll inquiries. Ability to multi-task and prioritize work on various projects simultaneously. Ability to work independently as well in a team environment. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Proficiency in understanding complex plan documents and insurance contracts. Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Proven project management experience. The ability to handle confidential information with discretion. Position Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience) Experience: 8–10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including payroll strategy or multi-country oversight Experience with payroll and HR systems (e.g., Dayforce, Workday, ADP, SAP, or similar) CPP or equivalent payroll certification preferred Note: This is an office-based position, and individuals are expected to be in the office 5 days per week. Signode offers a flexible work hour schedule. Functional