Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Location

: Totowa, NJ (On-site)

Position Type

: Full-Time

Cibo Vita, a leading food manufacturing company specializing in trail mixes and healthy snacks, is seeking a Bi-lingual Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join our team. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of employee payroll and administration of benefits programs across the organization. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist supports the HR Operations team by maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations, managing vendor relationships, and providing exceptional service to employees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries. This position serves as a key link between HR, Finance, and external partners to ensure seamless execution of total rewards programs and payroll accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Management and Process Improvement

• Process and verify weekly payroll for all hourly employees across multiple departments and locations.

• Review and approve employee timecards, ensuring accuracy in hours worked, overtime, and pay rates.

• Prepare and validate payroll data, deductions, and adjustments prior to submission.

• Handle off-cycle payments, pay corrections, and retroactive adjustments as needed.

• Identify manual payroll tasks that can be automated to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Develop audit tools to minimize errors and streamline recurring payroll processes.

• Ensure payroll practices comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Maintain proper documentation of all payroll transactions and approvals.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, ensuring prompt and professional communication.

Benefits Administration

• Administer benefit programs, including health, life, disability insurance, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

• Support onboarding and enrollment activities, including new hire materials, open enrollment coordination, and qualifying life event management.

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits, changes, and compliance issues.

• Develop and implement communication strategies to increase employee awareness of available benefits.

• Analyze program performance and recommend improvements based on cost-effectiveness and industry benchmarks.

• Manage compliance tasks such as audits, regulatory filings, and reporting requirements.

• Oversee leave of absence programs, coordinating accommodations and return-to-work plans.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain employee data within payroll and HRIS systems, ensuring accuracy, security, and confidentiality.

• Prepare weekly payroll summaries and reports for HR and Finance leadership.

• Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws and internal policies.

Qualifications

• **Education:

  ** Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources preferred.

• **Experience:

  ** Minimum of 3+ years of payroll and benefits administration experience (manufacturing environment preferred).

• **Skills:

**

Bilingual in English and Spanish is required