Payroll Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The Payroll Manager is responsible for owning end-to-end payroll operations in partnership with ADP Compensation Services, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across the organization, including U.S. and Canada payroll. This role serves as the primary payroll owner, overseeing payroll processing, multi-state and cross-border compliance, payroll tax administration, internal controls, and payroll-related accounting activities. The Payroll Manager also serves as the 401(k) Plan Administrator and partners closely with HR, Finance, Accounting, and external vendors to support strong governance, audit readiness, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing

• Own end-to-end payroll operations for U.S. and Canada employees, partnering with ADP Compensation Services for U.S. payroll and ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery across all jurisdictions.
• Serve as the primary payroll point of contact with ADP, managing payroll calendars, submission deadlines, off-cycle payrolls, and issue resolution.
• Review, validate, and submit payroll inputs, including employee changes, pay adjustments, bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay, garnishments, and special earnings.
• Review payroll previews, registers, and variance reports; investigate and resolve discrepancies prior to payroll finalization.
• Approve payroll for processing and ensure payroll is funded and released on schedule.
• Manage payroll corrections and off-cycle payments as needed.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries from HR, Finance, and leadership.

Payroll Compliance and Accounting

• Ensure multi-state payroll compliance and wage/hour accuracy, including employee classification, overtime calculations, and state and local tax withholding and nexus considerations.
• Partner with Accounting to maintain accurate employee classifications aligned with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Own federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, including filings, remittances, and resolution of notices.
• Administer Long-Term Incentive (LTI) programs, coordinating vesting events and payouts and ensuring accurate payroll processing, tax withholding, reporting, and compliance.
• Reconcile payroll-related liabilities, including benefits, PTO accruals, and workers’ compensation allocations.
• Design and maintain payroll internal controls, including SOX compliance, segregation of duties, access controls, and documentation; lead payroll-related SOX testing and remediation.
• Own ADP configuration and integrations (timekeeping, HRIS, ERP), ensuring accurate chart-of-accounts mapping, secure access, and end-to-end data integrity.
• Support month-end close, including payroll journal entries, accruals, and timely payroll close.
• Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Manage payroll vendors (ADP, Skillcloud, ADP Compensation Services), including contracts, SLAs, control oversight, and service transitions as needed.
• Forecast payroll cash requirements and coordinate funding with Treasury.
• Serve as the primary payroll contact for external auditors, internal audit, and tax authorities.

Retirement Plan Administration (401K)

• Serve as the 401(k) Plan Administrator, overseeing plan operations in partnership with recordkeepers, trustees, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of employee contributions, employer matching, and related payroll feeds.
• Monitor and reconcile 401(k) contributions and loan repayments between payroll, recordkeepers, and financial systems.
• Ensure ongoing regulatory compliance with ERISA, IRS, and Department of Labor requirements, including support for nondiscrimination testing, annual audits, and required filings (e.g., Form 5500).
• Support plan changes, testing, and implementation of enhancements impacting payroll and contributions.
• Partner with Finance, Benefits, and external vendors to resolve discrepancies, correct errors, and support plan governance.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressive payroll experience, including ownership of end-to-end payroll operations.
• Hands-on experience partnering with outsourced payroll providers (ADP Compensation Services strongly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll, wage and hour laws, and payroll tax compliance.
• Experience reviewing and approving payroll registers, resolving discrepancies, and managing off-cycle payrolls.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll audits, reconciliations, and internal controls, including SOX or SOX-like environments.
• Experience supporting month-end close, payroll journal entries, and payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations.
• Proven ability to partner cross-functionally with HR, Accounting, Finance, and external vendors.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing or overseeing international payroll, with Canada payroll experience preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience serving as a 401(k) Plan Administrator or supporting retirement plan operations and compliance.
• Familiarity with ERISA, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 filings, and retirement plan audits.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now, ADP timekeeping, and payroll/HRIS/ERP integrations.
• Experience in a multi-entity or multi-state organization with complex payroll structures.
• Prior experience working in a public company or SOX-compliant environment.

What Makes Holley a Great Place to Work

At Holley, we’re more than a performance parts company—we’re a community of enthusiasts, innovators, and problem-solvers. We offer a competitive benefits package and a culture that values both performance and people.

Benefits:

Holley is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please contact human resources.