Provides leadership and oversight to the Payroll Team. Develops policies and procedures for payroll processes and timekeeping. Ensures the generation of company payroll, including labor distribution records, vacation and sick leave accrual, overtime, and withholding status. Ensures compliance with all government reporting requirements for payroll taxes, withholding, and employer contributions. Recommends changes in methods or procedures to improve the efficiency of payroll operations and practices.

Responsibilities:

• Provides guidance and leadership for Payroll Team Leaders and Team Members.
• Implements, monitors, and evaluates company payroll systems and processes, including:
  • Bi-weekly, other periodic, and special payroll processing,
  • Journal entry, account reconciliation, and other elements of general ledger support,
  • Report preparation, including earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, etc.
  • Payroll liability calculations,
  • Payroll account balancing and discrepancy resolution.

• Conducts team meetings to review service level goals and coordinate / direct Team Member training.
• Works with peer leadership and business partners to ensure smooth implementation of Payroll policies and practices.
• Works with Tax to ensure appropriate processing and accounting for all monthly, quarterly, and annual federal, state, and local payroll income and unemployment tax returns, payments, and reconciliations.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements.
• Acts as liaison and maintains communication with payroll service providers and consultants.
• Keeps leadership advised of potential problems and recommends and/or implements solutions as appropriate.

Skills

• Leverages business understanding and experience to effectively prioritize team and project activity.
• Facilitates Team Member training, development, and career management efforts.
• Works with key functional and operational stakeholders to ensure shared understanding of priorities, objectives, and anticipated outcomes.
• Able to present complex / multi-faceted communications and information to key stakeholders in a clear and concise format.
• Demonstrates clear understanding of WFM strategic direction and how Payroll / TMS contributes to company success.
• Contributes to local / regional strategy development and ensures appropriate team focus and alignment.
• Assists in detailed task / project planning, including cost, schedule, and resource requirements.
• Integrates internal and external stakeholder information and perspective in task and project management.
• Maintains open communication among all task / project stakeholders, internal and external.
• Monitors outcomes and incorporates lessons learned into future task / project activity.
• Demonstrates understanding of industry, market, and company dynamics and business drivers.
• Demonstrates understanding of partner and competitor dynamics and business drivers.
• Able to draw connections between industry / market trends in people / organizational management practices and their implications for WFM. 

Education & Experience:

• BA/BS degree and 4-6 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 2+ years leadership experience.
• FPC and/or CPP certification preferred.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.