Payroll Specialist

Description We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join a machinery manufacturing company in Sacramento, California. This contract-to-permanent opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, onsite environment and brings strong experience managing complex payroll operations across multiple states. The role will support a high-volume employee population while partnering closely with HR, managers, and accounting to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Manage biweekly and special payroll runs for a large multi-state workforce, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on schedule.
• Administer monthly payroll processing for an international employee group while maintaining consistency with established procedures.
• Review timekeeping records, identify discrepancies, and work with department leaders to secure timely corrections.
• Oversee payroll system updates and assist with adding new state tax setups to support business needs.
• Monitor adherence to federal, state, and local payroll regulations and help maintain compliant payroll practices.
• Perform detailed payroll audits, reconcile payroll-related reports, and investigate complex pay issues to resolution.
• Track leave activity, benefit-related deductions, and manual payment requests such as final checks or payroll adjustments.
• Prepare preliminary calculations for commissions, bonuses, and incentive payments based on company guidelines.
• Support accounting operations through reconciliations, draft journal entries, management reporting, and maintenance of payroll documentation.
• Partner with HR, employees, and leadership to answer payroll questions and provide responsive issue resolution. Requirements
• Associate's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of payroll experience, with manufacturing industry experience considered a plus.
• Demonstrated success processing full-cycle, multi-state payroll in a high-volume environment.
• Experience with payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax requirements, and standard payroll practices.
• Ability to reconcile payroll data, research discrepancies, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Payroll certification is preferred, such as a Payroll Practitioner credential.
• Comfortable working fully onsite and collaborating across payroll, HR, and accounting teams.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking "," you're agreeing to Robert Half's Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .