Payroll Specialist - Madison, WI

JOIN THE TEAM THAT FUELS YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGES

At WP Beverages, we're more than a manufacturer. We're the force behind some of the most recognized beverage brands in the country, including Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Lipton Iced Tea, Aquafina, Klarbrunn, Vita Ice, and Bubbl'r.

Unlike many manufacturing organizations focused solely on cost and profit, we take a broader view of success. We are committed to creating long-term shareholder value through operational excellence, innovation, strategic growth, and a culture that values and develops our people.

What We're Looking For

The Payroll Specialist is a hands-on payroll professional responsible for executing payroll accurately and on time for a multi-state workforce of hourly manufacturing and salaried employees. Reporting to the Payroll Lead, this role owns the day-to-day payroll process from time and pay data validation through payroll completion, reconciliations, and issue resolution.

This is a role for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, working in the details, and ensuring employees are paid accurately every pay period. The Payroll Specialist actively reviews and corrects payroll data, resolves timekeeping and pay issues, processes employee changes, manages compliance-related transactions, and follows through on discrepancies until they are fully resolved.

This position is based in our offices in Windsor, WI, just outside the Madison area. Team members enjoy a hybrid work arrangement that balances collaboration and flexibility, working onsite four days per week and remotely one day per week.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on payroll professional who thrives on execution, accuracy, and accountability. They take ownership of the payroll process, proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact employees, and work effectively across Human Resources, Finance, Benefits, Operations, and location leadership to ensure payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with all requirements. Organized and detail-oriented, this individual is comfortable managing recurring deadlines, working through complex payroll situations, and following issues through to resolution while continuously looking for opportunities to improve processes and controls.

Payroll Operations & Compliance

• Process payroll on a recurring cycle for hourly and salaried employees across multiple states and locations.
• Calculate and verify wages, overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, deductions, and benefit withholdings.
• Review timekeeping data each cycle, resolve missing punches and exceptions with location supervisors, and confirm hours before payroll close.
• Enter and maintain employee payroll records, including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, tax elections, and direct deposit information.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, audit reports, and validation checks each cycle, and correct discrepancies before transmission.
• Apply federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements and wage and hour rules to daily processing, escalating questions that fall outside established guidance.
• Process garnishment orders, unemployment claims, and employment and wage verification requests within required timeframes.
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation, distribution, and corrections, and maintain payroll records in accordance with legal and company retention requirements.

Employee Support & Partnership

• Serve as a first point of contact for assigned employee group answering questions regarding pay, deductions, taxes, and time records, responding promptly and professionally.
• Research payroll discrepancies, document the cause and resolution, and escalate complex tax and compliance matters to the Payroll Lead.
• Partner with Human Resources and Benefits to confirm employee data, status changes, and benefit deductions are reflected accurately in each payroll.
• Work with plant and office supervisors on timekeeping practices, pay policy application, and payroll cycle deadlines.
• Provide payroll reports and supporting detail to Finance for period-end close and general ledger reconciliation.
• Handle compensation and employee information with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Participate in special projects and other initiatives that support departmental and organizational objectives.

Systems & Process Support

• Use payroll, timekeeping, and HRIS systems to process transactions, maintain accurate configuration data, and produce standard and ad hoc reports.
• Follow documented payroll procedures and standard work and recommend updates when processes or requirements change.
• Identify recurring errors and manual steps and suggest improvements that reduce rework and strengthen controls.
• Test system updates, tax table changes, and new pay and deduction codes before they are released into production.
• Assist with documentation of payroll procedures, checklists, and process maps.
• Stay current on payroll regulations, tax changes, and company policy updates that affect processing.

Qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred, along with 2+ years of payroll processing experience.
• Multi-state payroll experience is preferred, as is experience supporting hourly manufacturing and salaried employee populations.
• Candidates should have hands-on experience with payroll systems, timekeeping systems, and HRIS platforms, along with familiarity with payroll tax administration and standard payroll reporting.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a plus.
• The successful candidate will have working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and payroll compliance regulations, along with the ability to process and audit payroll accurately under recurring deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and solid reconciliation, organizational, and communication skills are essential, as is proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and lookup functions.
• The ideal candidate brings a customer-focused approach, sound judgment in handling confidential information, and an interest in improving payroll processes and controls.

What You'll Bring:

• A commitment to accuracy, compliance, and service excellence.
• The ability to build strong relationships across HR, Finance, and Operations.
• A proactive approach to solving problems and improving processes.
• The ability to work independently through a recurring payroll cycle while knowing when to escalate.

Why Join Us?

Join a growing organization where payroll plays a critical role in supporting our employees and business success. This position offers the opportunity to own the day-to-day payroll cycle, contribute to process improvements, and make a meaningful impact across a multi-site manufacturing environment.

Why You'll Love Working Here

We believe in taking care of our people. Here's what you can expect:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Critical Illness & Accident Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• 401(K) with Profit Sharing
• Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays

Our Commitment to You

Wis-Pak/WP Beverage is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We comply with EEOC regulations and use E-Verify to ensure employment eligibility.