Senior Payroll Specialist

Western is hiring for a Senior Payroll Specialistat our Columbia Vista Sawmill Division in Vancouver, WA.

What You’ll Do: As the Senior Payroll Specialist, you are responsible for all aspects of the US payroll at Western Forest Products. This includes ensuring compensation is paid to all WFP US employees in accordance with company policy and employment laws while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality, accuracy, and efficiency.

Who You Are: You have a minimum of 5 years of experience in US payroll, with a focus on the state of Washington, and preferably have utilized ADP. It is desirable that you hold a Certified Payroll Professional certification from PayrollOrg or are actively working towards it, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning. Customer service is a top priority for you, and you have a track record of successfully building collaborative relationships.

Work Environment: This position is based out of our Columbia Vista Sawmill Division and requires the incumbent to work in the office 100% of the time. As we have multiple locations, occasional travel will be required to our worksites in Vancouver, Washougal, and Arlington.

Our total rewards offering includes:

• Salary range of $70,000 - $90,000 based on your skill level, qualifications, and experience
• Performance Bonus
• Dental and Medical Benefits; employee premiums for base plan are 100% paid for by WFP
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Basic life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off (PTO) and Paid holidays

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and perform payroll end-to-end processing, including payroll calculations, deductions, and tax withholdings, ensuring accuracy and timeliness;
• Manage benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leaves, and other employee benefits;
• Administer leaves of absence, including FMLA, WAPFML, disability, and other applicable leaves, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations;
• Work with internal and external stakeholders with various annual audits, 401k audits, by preparing payroll-related documentation as needed;
• Maintain confidential information by adhering to legal and ethical standards;
• Provide support and guidance to employees regarding payroll inquiries related to inquiries;
• Collaborate with HR and Finance departments to ensure accurate employee data and seamless integration between payroll and other systems;
• Reconcile payroll-related benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits, ensuring accuracy and compliance;
• Perform quarterly and year-end reconciliations, including responding to tax notifications, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations;
• Validate W2 and ACA forms, ensuring accuracy and compliance with reporting requirements;
• Act as the first line of contact for payroll system issues, troubleshooting and resolving issues in a timely manner;
• Monitor and support the management of the payroll and time system in our US operations, identify any issues, and make recommendations for improvements;
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on payroll process improvements and system conversion projects;
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and policies to ensure compliance with corporate policies, along with federal, state, and local regulations;
• Prepare payroll-related reports and analysis for management as needed;
• Lead and guide site administrators on payroll-related matters and provide support and mentorship to other members of the payroll team, nurturing a collaborative and encouraging work environment;
• Stay informed about changes in payroll laws and regulations and ensure company compliance;
• Other duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in payroll processing and payroll management;
• Proficiency in payroll software (e.g., ADP WFN) and MS Office suite, especially Excel;
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements;
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and calculations;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines;
• Self-starter with the ability to problem-solve and bring forward solutions;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels of the organization;
• Willingness to learn with an open and proactive attitude.

YOUR CAREER

At Western Forest Products, we believe our most significant asset is our people. Investing in our people brings value and success to our business, ensuring a safe, engaged, productive and continuously improving workplace. We offer challenging opportunities working alongside the best in the industry to meet your career and professional development goals while providing competitive total rewards and recognition.

We provide a variety of on-the-job training and continuing education in many areas at Western to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed. Our promote-from-within culture recognizes high performance and we offer diverse career paths across the organization for those with the talent and will to advance.

Our total rewards offering including competitive pay, performance bonus, pension plan, benefits and other programs designed to support our employees.

WESTERN OVERVIEW

Western Forest Products is a leading forest products company that manufactures high-quality wood products and sustainably manages forests. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with operations in the coastal region of B.C. and Washington State, Western meets the needs of customers worldwide with a specialty wood products focus and diverse product offering. Our large investment in manufacturing and progressive approach to safe and sustainable forestry practices ensures the health and prosperity of our business, forests and communities for generations to come.