Payroll Processor & HR/Benefits Assistant

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Employment Type: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Department: Human Resources and Payroll
Reports To: Corporate US HR Manager
Schedule: Monday through Friday, approximately 40 hours per week
Payroll Frequency: Biweekly

Position Summary: IML Labels Chicago is seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll Processor / HR & Benefits Assistant to support biweekly payroll processing and provide administrative assistance in Human Resources and employee benefits.

This position reviews employee time records, enters and verifies payroll information, maintains accurate documentation, responds to routine payroll and benefits questions, and assists with general HR activities. The successful candidate must have at least three years of experience using ADP and familiarity with electronic time clocks and time-and-attendance systems such as Agile (Synerion).

Payroll Administration
• Assist with processing biweekly payroll accurately and on time.
• Review timecards for missing punches, incorrect hours, overtime, shift premiums, paid time off, and other discrepancies; obtain corrections and supervisor approvals before payroll deadlines.
• Enter and verify regular hours, overtime, bonuses, premiums, deductions, reimbursements, and paid time off.
• Review new-hire, termination, pay-rate, tax, and direct-deposit information before payroll processing.
• Assist with final paychecks, retroactive payments, corrections, and other payroll adjustments.
• Reconcile payroll reports and identify discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Respond to employee questions about paychecks, deductions, direct deposits, tax forms, and the ADP employee portal.
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation; support audits, unemployment claims, workers’ compensation reporting, and year-end activities, including W-2 preparation and distribution.

Human Resources Support
• Assist with employee onboarding and offboarding activities.
• Enter and update employee information in the HR and payroll systems.
• Maintain electronic and physical employee records.
• Help collect new-hire documentation and verify that required forms are complete.
• Assist employees with routine questions regarding company policies, time-off procedures, attendance, and available HR resources.
• Prepare routine employee letters, reports, forms, and other HR documentation.
• Support recruitment, orientation, training coordination, and employee communication activities as needed.
• Escalate sensitive employee relations matters to the Corporate US HR Manager.
• Provide general administrative support to the Human Resources team and perform other related duties as assigned.
Benefits Administration
• Assist employees with benefit enrollment, eligibility, and general plan questions.
• Support new-hire enrollment, annual open enrollment, qualifying life-event changes, and benefit terminations.
• Enter and update benefit elections in the applicable HR, payroll, and benefits systems.
• Review payroll benefit deductions and help identify enrollment or deduction discrepancies.
• Coordinate routine enrollment questions and corrections with employees, benefit carriers, and brokers.
• Assist with distributing benefit materials, notices, and enrollment communications.
• Maintain accurate and confidential benefit records.
• Refer questions involving coverage decisions, claims, or medical advice to the appropriate benefit carrier or administrator.

Confidentiality and Professional Standards
Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, benefits, medical, and personal information. Follow company policies and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. Handle employee inquiries professionally and escalate matters outside the scope of this position to the Corporate US HR Manager.

Required Qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three years of experience using ADP, preferably ADP Workforce Now or ADP Vantage.
• Previous payroll-processing or payroll-support experience.
• Familiarity with electronic time clocks and time-and-attendance systems, such as Agile (Synerion), including reviewing employee punches, identifying missing or incorrect entries, and verifying approved hours for biweekly payroll processing.
• Working knowledge of timecards, payroll deductions, overtime, paid time off, and payroll adjustments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately with numbers and employee data.
• Ability to meet strict biweekly payroll deadlines, organize work, and manage competing priorities.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills and ability to handle confidential information responsibly.

Preferred Qualifications
• Associate degree or coursework in accounting, business administration, finance, or human resources.
• Experience with BambooHR or another human resources information system.
• Previous HR or employee benefits administration experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or multi-location organization.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills.

Key Competencies
Accuracy and attention to detail; integrity and confidentiality; dependability; customer service; organization and follow-through; problem-solving; teamwork and collaboration.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This position primarily works in an office located within a manufacturing facility. Work involves extended computer use, communication with employees and managers, and occasionally moving or carrying office materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity
IML Labels Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.