Payroll Manager

The Elmet Group | Portland, Maine | In-office

Build a payroll operation employees can count on.

Do you know what it takes to deliver accurate payroll? Can you trace a discrepancy back to its source, help a team work through a difficult issue, and build the relationships that keep things moving across multiple locations?

At The Elmet Group, we’re looking for a Payroll Manager who wants to put those skills to work and help shape how payroll operates as our company grows.

Our businesses support demanding manufacturing, aerospace, and defense applications. Behind that work are employees who count on us to get their pay right. You’ll lead payroll across our assigned U.S. businesses and locations, strengthen our processes, and remain personally involved in the work.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Total Rewards, this role combines hands‑on payroll responsibility with team leadership and meaningful opportunities to improve systems and processes.

You’ll develop the payroll team, establish clear priorities, and build productive relationships with site HR, Operations, and Finance. You’ll have the opportunity to turn improvements into dependable everyday practices, with clear procedures, effective reviews, and people who understand their responsibilities.

What you’ll own

• Accurate, timely payroll. Lead and actively participate in payroll preparation, processing, review, and reconciliation for hourly and salaried employees across assigned locations.
• A capable payroll team. Supervise and coach the Payroll Coordinator and assigned payroll support, clarify responsibilities, balance workloads, and develop dependable backup coverage.
• Problems resolved thoroughly. Investigate discrepancies involving employee records, timecards, pay rules, system calculations, and payments. Verify corrections and address the causes of recurring issues.
• Strong site partnerships. Work closely with HR, supervisors, Operations, and Finance to coordinate employee changes, timecard approvals, payroll reviews, and deadlines.
• Reliable systems and information. Strengthen Paylocity payroll and timekeeping processes, validate employee setup, and coordinate testing of approved system changes.
• Practical controls and compliance. Maintain documented approvals, independent reviews, appropriate access, and accurate records. Oversee payroll‑provider tax and reporting deliverables and support audits.
• Coordinated payroll handoffs. Partner with Finance and Total Rewards on accounting outputs, payroll reconciliations, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, and related files.
• Responsive employee service. Address pay concerns with discretion, clear communication, and dependable follow‑through.
• Lasting process improvements. Create useful procedures, checklists, and training that help payroll staff and site partners perform their responsibilities consistently.

What you bring

You have a record of delivering payroll accurately while managing competing deadlines. You understand the details of hourly payroll and know how to work through an issue from the original employee record to the final payment.

You’ve supervised, coached, or served as the accountable lead for payroll staff. You might already be a payroll manager, or you may be an experienced supervisor ready for broader ownership.

We’re especially interested in someone who:

• Brings at least five years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including direct responsibility for processing and reviewing payroll.
• Has strong working knowledge of multistate payroll tax and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Understands hourly workforces, multiple shifts, differentials, premiums, and overtime calculations.
• Is a strong problem solver who asks thoughtful questions, gets to the root of an issue, and follows through with practical solutions that prevent it from happening again.
• Builds trust with employees, site HR teams, Operations leaders, and Finance.
• Is comfortable improving processes while continuing to deliver payroll.
• Uses Excel and payroll reporting to compare records, identify exceptions, and explain variances.
• Brings strong payroll and timekeeping system skills. Paylocity experience is a plus.

Manufacturing payroll experience and Certified Payroll Professional certification are preferred. Relevant education or equivalent practical experience is welcome.

Working in Portland and staying connected

This position is based in our Portland, Maine office. No travel is required.

You’ll support colleagues across multiple locations, so proactive communication and strong working relationships matter. We’re looking for someone who establishes a dependable working rhythm, addresses concerns early, and follows through without waiting to be prompted.

Compensation

The anticipated annual base salary range is $95,000 to $115,000 , with placement based on relevant experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

This range represents base salary only. Benefits and bonus opportunities are separate.

Benefits and additional compensation

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Health savings and flexible spending account options, subject to eligibility.
• 401(k) retirement savings with pre‑tax and Roth contribution options, company matching contributions, and company‑funded profit sharing.
• 120 hours of paid time off annually, equivalent to three weeks based on a 40‑hour workweek, for vacation and sick time. Additional leave and sick time are provided where required by applicable law.
• Eight paid holidays plus one floating holiday annually, subject to start‑date eligibility.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company’s bonus program, subject to applicable plan terms.

Benefits are subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan terms.

What success looks like

Employees are paid accurately and on time. Pay concerns receive clear answers and verified corrections. Site partners understand their responsibilities and deadlines. The payroll team has useful procedures, effective coaching, and dependable backup support.

Over time, you’ll build a payroll operation with fewer recurring errors, stronger controls, and the capacity to support the company’s next stage.

The Elmet Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.