Payroll Administrator at Hire Virtue in Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States

Job description

• Offering a $1,000 Sign-On-Bonus**
• We are seeking an experienced "On-site" Payroll Specialist to join our growing Human Resources and Payroll team. This position supports a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees operating in a 24/7 industrial environment across the state of New Mexico.
• The ideal candidate is a highly organized, customer-focused payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands the importance of accuracy, compliance, and exceptional service. This role serves as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and Human Resources by ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Candidates with experience supporting organizations in the mining, oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, utilities, or other industrial sectors are highly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly and semi-monthly payrolls for a workforce of approximately 200–500 employees.
• Maintain payroll records while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable wage and hour laws.
• Review payroll transactions for accuracy, including new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings.
• Audit payroll reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll processing.
• Coordinate payroll balancing, reconciliations, and year-end activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and managers.
• Provide exceptional customer service by responding promptly and professionally to payroll inquiries.
• Educate employees on payroll policies, deductions, timekeeping, and tax-related matters.
• Partner closely with Human Resources, Finance, and operational leadership to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Maintain and audit employee timekeeping records using Kronos (UKG Workforce).
• Troubleshoot timekeeping discrepancies and partner with managers to ensure accurate approvals.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, shift differentials, premium pay, and leave balances.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including New Mexico wage and hour requirements.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for audits.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Support annual payroll activities, including W-2 processing and payroll tax reporting.
• Recommend process improvements that increase payroll accuracy, efficiency, and employee satisfaction.
• Assist with payroll system enhancements, testing, and implementation initiatives.
• Participate in special payroll and HR projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience supporting organizations with 200+ employees.
• Experience processing both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles.
• Experience with Kronos (UKG Workforce) timekeeping systems is required.
• Engage PEO is a plus.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll best practices.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work remotely while maintaining regular business hours aligned with the Mountain Time Zone.
• Strong customer service mindset with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, timekeeping systems, and payroll reporting.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation strongly preferred.
• Experience with Engage PEO or similar Professional Employer Organization (PEO) payroll platforms preferred.
• Experience processing payroll in New Mexico.
• Experience within the mining, oil & gas, industrial construction, manufacturing, utilities, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Skills

Required

• Payroll processing
• Payroll laws and regulations
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Organizational skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Verbal and written communication
• Time management
• Remote work

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Engage PEO
• Payroll in New Mexico
• Industrial sector experience
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)