Payroll Operations Lead

Patrick Industries, a publicly traded company headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, invites you to join a team of dedicated Team Members who are passionate about delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. As a leading solutions provider serving a diverse range of markets across the United States, our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability has positioned us as a high growth, diversified and empowered Team of more than 10,000! Your adventure awaits!

We are hiring a Payroll Operations Lead to join our Corporate team in Elkhart, IN. The Payroll Operations Lead is responsible for leading and executing all aspects of enterprise payroll operations across a complex, multi-entity environment. This role ensures payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements while supporting a growing portfolio of businesses.

This position owns end-to-end payroll delivery, including operational execution, compliance controls, and system optimization. The Payroll Operations Lead serves as the functional leader of payroll, balancing hands-on processing expertise with leadership of people, processes, and systems.

Responsibilities & Duties:

Payroll Operations & Execution

• Own and oversee end-to-end payroll processing across multiple entities, states, and employee populations (hourly and salaried)
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time, with full ownership of validation, balancing, and issue resolution
• Maintain consistent payroll operations across a decentralized business structure while ensuring alignment with enterprise standards
• Establish scalable processes that support growth while maintaining operational control

Payroll Systems & SAP ECP Ownership

• Serve as the functional owner of payroll systems, including SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) or equivalent platforms
• Ensure payroll systems are configured, maintained, and optimized for accuracy, efficiency, and compliance
• Troubleshoot complex payroll system issues and partner with IT to resolve root causes
• Support system enhancements, integrations, and ongoing improvements to payroll technology

Compliance, Controls & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements
• Own payroll tax processes, including filings, W-2 processing, and year-end activities
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls and audit-ready documentation
• Lead internal and external payroll audits and drive remediation of findings

Mergers, Acquisitions & Multi-FEIN Payroll Integration

• Lead payroll integration efforts for newly acquired businesses
• Establish and manage payroll across multiple FEINs within a unified operating model
• Evaluate payroll systems, processes, and risks during due diligence
• Transition acquired entities into standardized or hybrid payroll models and stabilize operations post-integration

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Lead, develop, and manage payroll team members, ensuring high performance and accountability
• Partner closely with Finance (including Treasury), HR, Benefits, and HRIS teams to ensure seamless payroll execution
• Communicate payroll policies, processes, and updates clearly to stakeholders and employees
• Act as a trusted advisor on payroll-related matters across the organization

Qualifications & Skills:

• 10+ years of payroll experience with demonstrated ownership of full-cycle payroll processing
• 5+ years of payroll leadership experience, including team management and functional ownership
• Proven experience managing payroll in multi-entity, multi-state environments
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements (FLSA, federal, state)
• Strong hands-on experience with payroll systems (SAP ECP strongly preferred)
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred
• Exposure to global payroll operations or multi-country payroll environments
• Demonstrated experience setting up and managing payroll across multiple FEINs
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and payroll integrations
• Strong understanding of hourly payroll, timekeeping systems, and labor compliance
• Proven ability to lead audits, implement controls, and mitigate payroll risk
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

At Patrick Industries, BETTER Together is our commitment to being our best while striving to bring out the best in one another as we join forces Individually, as Teams, with our Business Units, with our Customers, our Communities and within our entire Patrick family.

Patrick is an Equal Opportunity Employer.