Payroll Specialist | East Lansing, MI

Salary Range: $55,000 - $82,000 depending on experience

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for excelling in payroll specialist? The Pivot Group is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career advancement. We are collaborating with leading companies in East Lansing seeking experienced Payroll Specialists.

The Opportunity

We are partnering with organizations in East Lansing that are seeking Payroll Specialists. These companies are committed to building strong teams and are looking for professionals who can lead initiatives effectively. By connecting with Pivot Group, you position yourself for roles that match your background and aspirations.

Key Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely weekly or bi-weekly payroll for all manufacturing employees.
• Manage and verify employee timekeeping data, including overtime, shift differentials, and paid time off.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and company policies.
• Calculate and process payroll deductions, garnishments, and benefits contributions.
• Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts and prepare related journal entries.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, and timekeeping discrepancies.
• Prepare and submit required payroll tax filings and year-end reporting, such as W-2s.

Recommended Qualifications

• 2-4 years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage & hour laws.
• Proven proficiency with major payroll software platforms (e.g., ADP, UKG, Paychex) and integrated timekeeping systems.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills for high-volume payroll processing.
• Ability to perform payroll reconciliations, prepare journal entries, and generate comprehensive payroll reports.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with union payrolls.
• Familiarity with complex shift differentials and incentive pay structures common in manufacturing.
• Experience with timekeeping systems prevalent in manufacturing (e.g., Kronos, UKG).
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).

Job Titles That Should Apply

Payroll Specialist, Payroll Administrator, Payroll Coordinator, Payroll Processor, Payroll Clerk, Payroll Assistant, Payroll Analyst, Payroll and Benefits Specialist, HR Payroll Specialist

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.