Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Description

Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, is seeking to add a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to our team.

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist owns end-to-end payroll processing, benefits systems administration, and compliance reporting. This role ensures accurate, timely payroll and benefits administration while maintaining strong internal controls, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance. The role is highly detail-oriented and partners closely with HR leadership while operating independently. Partners closely with the HR Manager on employee-facing payroll and benefits issues, utilizing the HR Manager as the primary escalation point for employee concerns, and escalating manager, compliance or risk issues to the HR Director.
Essential Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process full-cycle payroll accurately and on schedule, including audits, reconciliations, and off-cycle payments.

• Maintain payroll controls, documentation, and audit trails.

• Address payroll discrepancies and resolve issues promptly.

• Support final pay processing, retroactive adjustments, and wage compliance.

• Ensure compliance with applicable wage and hour laws and payroll regulations, including California requirements.

Benefits Systems & Reconciliation

• Administer benefits deductions and ensure accurate integration with payroll.

• Perform payroll-to-benefits reconciliations and carrier invoice audits.

• Maintain benefits eligibility and system configurations in HRIS.

• Partner with HR Manager on benefits changes and escalations.

HRIS & Data Management

• Maintain HRIS records related to payroll and benefits (job changes, pay changes, terminations).

• Configure HRIS updates related to policies, benefits, and compliance requirements.

• Ensure data accuracy and integrity across systems.

Compliance & Reporting

• Support and prepare required compliance reporting (ACA, EEO-1, etc.).

• Serve as point of contact for audits and external agency requests (e.g., SMETA).

• Coordinate payroll-related data for LOA vendor and ensure accurate pay/benefit impacts.

• Manage employment verifications and related documentation.

• Support workers' compensation claims administration by coordinating payroll, benefits, and HRIS updates related to covered injuries.

• Serve as liaison with workers' compensation carriers and insurance partners for documentation, reporting, and audits.

• Ensure accurate wage reporting and benefits continuation for active WC claims.

Vendor & Partner Coordination

• Act as operational point of contact for payroll, benefits carriers, and LOA vendor.

• Partner with HR Director on vendor governance and issue resolution.

Requirements

The successful candidate's background includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, HR, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 5-7 years of payroll and benefits administration experience

• Strong knowledge of wage and hour laws, payroll compliance, and benefits administration

• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills

• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (multi-state and IBS or UKG experience preferred)