We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Analyst to join a manufacturing organization in Hopkins, Minnesota on a Contract basis. In this fully remote role, you will help maintain accurate payroll data, review timekeeping records, and support payroll readiness across multiple locations with a large hourly employee population. This position is ideal for someone who is highly skilled in payroll auditing, comfortable working extensively in Excel, and experienced with multi-state payroll environments.

Responsibilities:

• Review and validate employee time records to ensure hours, leave entries, and payroll-related data are complete and accurate before payroll submission.
• Audit payroll information across several locations, identifying discrepancies between system records and planned or expected data.
• Extract, analyze, and reconcile payroll and timekeeping data from HRIS and payroll platforms to maintain current and accurate records.
• Monitor sick leave and other payroll-related balances to confirm proper tracking and application within company systems.
• Partner with payroll leadership to support pre-payroll quality checks for a workforce of approximately 800 employees, primarily hourly staff.
• Use Excel extensively to organize payroll data, perform audits, and create clear reporting for issue resolution.
• Work within Kronos and UltiPro to review transactions, compare data outputs, and support payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Communicate findings and exceptions to the payroll supervisor and assist with timely resolution prior to payroll processing.