Payroll & Benefits Specialist

At TalentCount we believe Human Resources is the engine that influences the workforce towards success and a positive company culture creates the rhythm to any business. We take pride in hiring the most authenticated, high-EQ human resources and leadership professionals to influence company culture, objectives, and growth.

We are currently partnered with a growing and established company in the manufacturing space seeking for a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join their team. This role plays a key part in ensuring payroll accuracy, benefits integrity, and compliant leave administration across multiple states, including California and New York.

*This is a direct hire and onsite position in Huntington Beach, CA.

Core duties:

• Processing payroll for 250+ employees, including wages, salaries, bonuses, supplemental pay, retro pay, and fringe benefits

• Managing timekeeping updates and time & attendance administration

• Executing off-cycle and manual check processing when needed

• Handling wage assignments and payroll adjustments

• Supporting tax compliance activities, including W-2 processing and payroll tax funding

• Running payroll system jobs and troubleshooting errors within payroll software

• Generating ad-hoc payroll reports and analyzing discrepancies

• Partnering with the payroll vendor to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations

• Act as subject matter expert for leave programs including FMLA, CFRA, STD, LOA, and other state-specific leaves

• Serve as liaison with the leave administration vendor to ensure accurate tracking and documentation

• Support employees through leave requests, accommodations, and return-to-work planning

• Assist with open enrollment, benefits implementations, and employee benefits education

• Reconcile healthcare invoices and manage billing reviews

• Compile reports and assist with benefits-related research and special projects

What we’re looking for:

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on payroll processing experience (weekly payroll preferred)

• At least 2 years of benefits administration experience preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar certification is a plus

• Bilingual English/Spanish required

• Strong leave administration experience, particularly California leaves and EDD processes

• Experience with Paylocity highly preferred

• Familiarity with HRIS and payroll systems