Benefits & Payroll Administrator (EAP)

Description

PAYROLL & BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR

• Department: Corporate
• Division: Human Resources
• Location: Corporate Office - Cerritos, CA
• Classification: Full-Time, Nonexempt, Onsite
• Schedule: Monday to Friday - 0800-1700
• Pay Range: $26.00 - $34.00 / hour

Reports To

Human Resources Business Partner

Position Summary

Ecology Auto Parts, Inc. is seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Administrator to manage the accurate, timely, and compliant execution of payroll and employee benefits programs across the company's affiliated entities. This position combines hands-on payroll processing through Paylocity with coordination and administrative oversight of payroll and benefits support activities, including work performed by assigned personnel. Responsibilities include payroll reconciliation, benefits administration, HRIS data integrity, regulatory compliance, internal controls, process improvements, and resolution of complex payroll and benefits matters.

The ideal candidate must possess extensive payroll and benefits experience, advanced Paylocity proficiency, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to exercise independent judgment while managing confidential information and critical operational deadlines across a multi-site, multi-entity workforce.

Responsibilities

Payroll Administration & Oversight

• •Prepare, process, validate, and reconcile recurring payroll through Paylocity for employees across multiple affiliated business entities, departments, locations, and employee classifications.
• •Coordinate and oversee payroll activities performed by assigned support personnel, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and timely completion.
• •Administer payroll transactions involving new hires, terminations, transfers, compensation adjustments, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, deductions, taxes, and direct deposits.
• •Review timekeeping records, overtime calculations, meal and rest period premiums, required approvals, and applicable wage-and-hour requirements.
• •Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, payment corrections, and system-related issues.
• •Prepare and analyze payroll reconciliations, exception reports, audit documentation, and general-ledger information in coordination with Finance.
• •Coordinate payroll funding, processing deadlines, and required submissions while maintaining established financial authorization controls.
• •Support prevailing-wage and certified-payroll reporting, payroll tax administration, year-end processing, W-2 reconciliation, and record retention.
• •Develop and maintain payroll procedures, calendars, internal controls, and continuity processes to improve accuracy and operational efficiency.

Employee Benefits Administration

• •Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k) retirement benefits.
• •Coordinate new-hire enrollment, open enrollment, qualifying life events, eligibility changes, and employee terminations.
• •Maintain accurate benefits records within Paylocity and applicable carrier or vendor systems.
• •Reconcile benefits deductions, carrier invoices, enrollment records, and payroll deductions; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• •Serve as a primary administrative contact for employee benefits inquiries, enrollment assistance, and coverage-related matters.
• •Coordinate with insurance brokers, benefits carriers, retirement-plan administrators, and third-party vendors.
• •Support benefits renewals, employee communications, ACA reporting, COBRA administration, and other applicable benefits compliance requirements.
• •Evaluate benefits administration practices and recommend improvements to accuracy, efficiency, vendor coordination, and employee service.

Payroll & Benefits Governance / Compliance

• •Evaluate payroll and benefits administration practices across affiliated entities and recommend improvements to internal controls, procedures, and compliance processes.
• •Exercise independent judgment in assessing complex payroll and benefits discrepancies, operational risks, and corrective-action alternatives within delegated authority.
• •Develop, implement, and maintain standardized administrative procedures, audit protocols, and operational controls in coordination with Human Resources and Finance.
• •Analyze payroll and benefits trends, recurring discrepancies, compliance exposure, and operational inefficiencies; communicate findings and recommendations to leadership.
• •Coordinate payroll and benefits audits, agency inquiries, documentation requests, and authorized corrective actions.
• •Apply relevant California and federal wage-and-hour requirements, including overtime, meal and rest period premiums, paid sick leave, final pay, and recordkeeping.
• •Coordinate with HR leadership regarding leave-related payroll adjustments, benefits continuation, and applicable deductions.
• •Identify significant compliance concerns and escalate matters requiring executive, legal, or financial authorization.
• •Evaluate payroll and benefits systems, vendor services, and administrative workflows to recommend appropriate improvements.

HRIS & Employee Records

• •Maintain accurate employee information, payroll records, and benefits data within Paylocity.
• •Process authorized personnel changes, employee status updates, compensation adjustments, and benefits elections.
• •Review HRIS records for accuracy, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate corrective actions.
• •Generate and analyze payroll, benefits, workforce, and compliance reports for Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership.
• •Support HRIS enhancements, workflow standardization, and periodic data-integrity audits.
• •Maintain confidential employee records in accordance with applicable privacy and retention requirements.

Operational Coordination

• •Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance, operational management, and employees to maintain efficient payroll and benefits administration.
• •Coordinate assigned payroll and benefits support activities, establish processing priorities, and monitor work quality and deadlines.
• •Independently manage competing responsibilities and respond to time-sensitive operational requirements.
• •Recommend and implement authorized administrative improvements that strengthen accuracy, compliance, accountability, and employee service.
• •Perform other related duties consistent with the position's payroll, benefits, and administrative responsibilities.

Requirements

Qualifications/Knowledge/Critical Skills

Required

• •Minimum five years of progressively responsible payroll administration experience, including hands-on, end-to-end payroll processing for a complex, multi-site or multi-entity workforce.
• •Demonstrated hands-on experience processing payroll through Paylocity.
• •Direct experience administering employee benefits, including enrollments, eligibility, deductions, carrier coordination, and discrepancy resolution.
• •Professional fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance information verbally and in writing in both languages.
• •Working knowledge of California wage-and-hour requirements, payroll practices, overtime calculations, final-pay obligations, and recordkeeping.
• •Proficiency with Paylocity, Microsoft Office Suite, payroll reconciliation, reporting, HRIS maintenance, and timekeeping systems.
• •Experience evaluating payroll and benefits discrepancies, maintaining internal controls, and recommending operational or compliance improvements.
• •Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, resolve complex administrative matters, and implement corrective actions within delegated authority.
• •Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail and confidentiality.
• •Ability to independently manage competing priorities, meet critical deadlines, and coordinate payroll and benefits activiti