Sr. Payroll Specialist

At Nouryon, our global team of Changemakers takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society’s needs – today and in the future.  
 
We are looking for team members who bring ideas forward, champion others and work together to do better. Does that sound like you? 
 

 About the job  

The Senior Payroll Specialist, North America, will support payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, ensuring timely and compliant processing for both union and non-union employees. Responsibilities include payroll calculations, benefit deductions, garnishment submissions, and reporting. The role also involves collaborating with HR Operations to address employee inquiries and manage lifecycle events. Expertise in SAP payroll systems (ADP GV), Kronos Time & Attendance, and SuccessFactors Employee Central is required. 
 

In your future role as “Sr. Payroll Specialist,” you will 

• Responsible for the end-to-end payroll process for approximately 1,600 union and non-union employees in North America, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws, collective bargaining agreements and best practices.
• Process payroll changes, including new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, bonuses, garnishments, and other deductions.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, including tax filings, garnishments, benefits, and other deductions.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and employee data in the payroll system.
• Maintain a strong relationship with outsourced payroll service provider, ADP.
• Address and resolve payroll-related inquiries and discrepancies in a timely manner via self-service ticketing systems (ServiceNow).
• Assist with internal and external audits to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Partners with HR Operations and HR Technical teams to ensure data integrity across systems.
• Stay current on payroll system updates and changes in payroll regulations and best practices.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2, T-4 (Canada) and preparation and distribution. 
• Partner with Time and Attendance Champions at site to confirm timecard entries when needed. 
• Ensures systems and reflect current wages, benefits, sick and vacation time, and related pay and leave policies for union and non-union employees.
• Function as Subject Matter Expert on payroll related projects as needed.
• Supports efforts to define departmental service standards.
• Document Payroll procedures and processes (i.e., work instructions, Process Manuals, and training documentation) to ensure consistency and clarity in HR service delivery.
• Provide guidance and support to junior payroll staff and assist with their training and development.
• Support Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) compliance controls and all related audit requirements.

We believe you bring 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in human resources, business, accounting, or finance. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for educational requirements.
• Minimum 5-7 years of multi-jurisdiction payroll processing experience with hourly, salaried, union, and non-union populations in USA and Canada. At least 2 years in a senior level role.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll regulations and compliance requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Office 365 Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel and report writing tools (ability to validate data, conditionally format, create pivot tables, utilize the VLOOKUP, if-and other Excel formulas). 
• Ability to execute complex tasks in a thorough, accurate and timely fashion while managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Focused on processes and procedures to drive continuous improvement and implement change management methodologies.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with a sense of urgency.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification through PayrollOrg preferred
   

We believe you have... 

• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in payroll processing and record-keeping.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and derive actionable insights to support business goals.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves payroll-related issues promptly.
• Team Collaboration: Works well with HR, Finance, and other departments to ensure smooth payroll operations.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer Service Orientation: Ability to deliver high-quality, responsive service to employees and HR stakeholders. 

Good to know 

 
This is a permanent position on a full-time basis, reporting to the HR Operations Manager and based in Houston,TX   
 
Please apply via our online recruitment system. We will not accept applications via e-mail. Once it's with us we will review to see if we have a match between your skills and the role! For more information about our hiring process, visit: nouryon.com/careers/how-we-hire/  
 
We look forward to receiving your application! 
 
We kindly ask our internal candidates to apply with your Nouryon email via Success Factors.  

 

 About Nouryon 

 
We’re looking for tomorrow’s Changemakers, today. 
 
If you’re looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon’s worldwide team of Changemakers in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products. Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one we support you with your personal growth, through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment. 
 
Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.  
  
 
#WeAreNouryon #Changemakers 
 
We have already chosen our sourcing channels for this recruitment and kindly ask not to be contacted by any advertisement agents, recruitment agencies or staffing companies. 

Nouryon is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law