Manager, Payroll, US
Work Mode: Hybrid
Location: Onsite, four days per week – Kohler, WI
Opportunity
The Manager Payroll, North America leads the transformation and modernization of Kohler’s US payroll driving a more automated, compliant, and employee friendly experience end to end. This role owns delivery of accurate, on time payroll while shaping the roadmap for process excellence, Workday Payroll optimization, controls, and scalable ways of working across a complex, multi-state environment. The ideal candidate brings deep Workday Payroll expertise, a continuous improvement mindset, and the leadership to partner across HR, Finance, and IT to deliver meaningful change.
Responsibilities
- Own end to end US payroll delivery ensuring every pay cycle is accurate, compliant, and on time, with clear controls and a customer first service mindset.
- Be the compliance steward for US payroll, proactively monitoring legislative changes and translating requirements into streamlined policies, procedures, and system updates.
- Lead, coach, and develop the payroll team, creating a high-performance culture focused on modernization, continuous improvement, and exceptional employee support.
- Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and business leaders to simplify upstream/downstream payroll workflows, resolve root causes, and elevate the overall employee experience.
- Deliver clear, decision-ready reporting (tax filings, wage statements, reconciliations, and analytics) that improves transparency, audit readiness, and leadership insight.
- Strengthen controls through regular audits and reconciliation practices, reducing risk while improving data quality and cycle efficiency.
- Champion continuous improvement identifying automation opportunities, standardizing processes, and leveraging Workday capabilities to modernize how payroll is delivered.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex payroll matters, bringing calm, clarity, and strong judgement while protecting the employee experience.
- Lead year-end execution (including W-2s) with strong project discipline, ensuring a smooth, compliant close and a positive employee experience.
- Bring hands-on Workday implementation experience and lead future roadmap initiatives, including Time & Attendance projects, ensuring successful delivery, adoption, and measurable business outcomes.
- Lead and influence cross-functional initiatives and vendor partnerships to deliver payroll enhancements, Workday releases, integrations, and broader transformation milestones, on time and with measurable impact.
- Partner closely with the Director, Global Payroll to advance a truly global payroll operating model, defining a multi-year roadmap to standardize processes, align governance, and bring payroll under one umbrella.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor’sdegreeinAccounting,Finance,HumanResources,orarelatedfield.
- Minimum of 5 years of payroll management experience, with at least 3 years of experience using Workday Payroll. Workday Payroll implementation experience is required, with demonstrated delivery of enhancements/releases; experience supporting or implementing Time & Attendance (e.g., Workday Time Tracking) and related integrations is strongly preferred.
- Strongknowledgeoffederal,state,andlocalpayrollregulationsandcompliance requirements.
- Provenexperienceinmanagingpayrollforalarge,multi-stateorganization.
- Excellentanalyticalandproblem-solvingskillswithakeenattentiontodetail.
- Strongleadershipandteammanagementskills,withtheabilitytomotivateanddevelop a high-performing team.
- Exceptionalcommunicationandinterpersonalskills,withtheabilitytointeracteffectively with employees at all levels.
- CertifiedPayrollProfessional(CPP)designationispreferred.
#LI-CM2
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period.
The salary range for this position is $103,900 - $160,000. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
