Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Payroll Specialist

Last updated: 09/2026

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At Athletic Brewing, we are on a mission to revolutionize the beer industry and we are doing it with a team of doers. We move quickly, we hold a high bar, and we reward performance. We are a company of hard workers and dedicated professionals who take ownership, drive results, and want their impact to be visible. We believe in merit, accountability, and earning opportunities through contribution. High performers grow here. If you are motivated by building, improving, and winning as a team, you will thrive at Athletic.Through our products and our people, we believe we can positively impact health, activity, and opportunity in our communities. We actively seek representation from diverse backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve.

About the Role

Payroll is one of the most fundamental promises a company makes to its people. At Athletic Brewing, that promise is backed by quality and integrity. Every number on a paycheck represents a person who earned it, and we hold ourselves to getting it right, every time.

As a Payroll Specialist, you'll support bi-weekly payroll for a multi-state workforce spanning exempt and non-exempt employees elements such as California regular rate calculations, overtime, garnishments, split shifts, off-cycle corrections, year-end reporting, and 401k compliance. You'll also help build and sharpen the systems behind the work, because innovation here applies to how we support our people, not just what we brew. You're not just running a process, you're a trusted partner to HR, Finance, and Operations, and a direct contributor to the experience of every person on the team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in processing bi-weekly payroll (exempt and non-exempt) for a rapidly growing organization across multiple states and disciplines.

• Perform activities to ensure accuracy for all pieces of payroll including but not limited to: regular earnings (including CA regular rate), overtime, bonus, commissions, wage garnishments, expense reimbursements, company fleet, meal breaks, split shifts, stipend programs, taxes, and deductions.

• Prepare support for any off-cycle payments including but not limited to: final pay, manual payroll checks, and payroll corrections. and year end bonus.

• Perform activities necessary for year end and including but not limited to W2s, 1095cs, 1099s, and ACA reporting.

• Liaison with state and federal agencies for tax purposes.

• Audit and review timekeeping systems to ensure accuracy and follow up with managers to ensure timely submissions to process payroll.

• Support payroll processes and procedure documentation to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws as well as internal controls compliance.

• Work with Payroll and Benefits Manager to maintain to our best in class health and wealth benefits program including but not limited to: billing, renewal, disability, paid family leave, and 401k program (included 5500 audit).

• Perform employment verification inquiries.

• Handles payroll questions and completes other variable tasks for payroll

• Reporting for the finance department to support benefits and payroll processes.

• Ad-hoc reporting to support finance, safety, and HR departments.

• Aid in annual EEO survey preparation.

• Maintains a payroll scorecard for our people leaders

• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Desired Experience/ Traits Who You Are:

• Personal curiosity in improving skills.

• Strong time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, listening, critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills.

• Honest, Dependable, high integrity, team player, and passionate.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience: Minimum of three years of processing payroll (in California required) for a company larger than 250 individuals with both exempt and non-exempt team members.

• Computer Skills: Google Suite, Microsoft Office, HRIS Platforms (Workday and ADP Preferred)

• Certificates, Licenses, registrations: Certified Payroll Professional, Fundamental Payroll Certification preferred

• Education: Bachelor's Degree or three years of equivalent experience

Job Details:

• Location: San Diego Brewery - Remote work available up to one day per week.

• Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 - Base salary and opportunities for up to 10% performance bonuses.

• Benefits: Full health, vision, dental, life, 401k with 5% company match, and Paid Parental Leave

• Community Program/Professional Development: In addition to PTO, all team members receive 12 paid days per year dedicated to volunteering or professional development activities.

• We value internal mobility and team equity

• We are an equal opportunity employer – we thrive when we champion diversity and inclusion. We are welcoming, respectful, and supportive at work and in our community.

• We encourage and welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to conduct work in a sitting position primarily; however, the job requires walking, bending, stooping, and lifting.

• May sit/stand for several hours at a time.

• Frequent change and/or interruptions, responding to highly stressful situations requiring immediate action, independent judgment, and superior problem-solving abilities.

• Prolonged exposure to computer screens.

• Repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.