Payroll Manager

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Our next Payroll Manager is a hands-on leader who plays a critical role in delivering accurate, compliant, and seamless payroll for our employees. You will partner closely with the Payroll Director to drive operational excellence while collaborating cross‑functionally with HR, Legal, and IT. The Payroll Manager will help advance our payroll capabilities, strengthen controls and systems, and elevate the overall employee pay experience as CJ Schwan’s continues to grow.  This hybrid-based role can be based in either Hopkins, MN, or Marshall, MN.

What You Will Do:

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing across employee populations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Review payroll results, reconciliations, and system data to maintain integrity across HR, timekeeping, and payroll platforms.
• Partner with the Payroll Director to execute payroll strategy, priorities, and key initiatives.
• Lead and develop the payroll team, promoting accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
• Collaborate with HR, Legal, IT, Finance and Tax to support compliance, employee data accuracy, audits, and payroll system effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, payroll regulations, and internal controls, including SOX requirements.
• Drive process improvements and system enhancements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Support payroll system upgrades, testing, and optimization in partnership with IT.

What we look for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including operational leadership.
• Strong knowledge of payroll operations, wage and hour regulations, and compliance best practices.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems (e.g., Workday, ADP, UKG, SAP, or similar).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred.
• Experience in multi-state or complex payroll environments preferred.
• Familiarity with SOX controls and audit support preferred.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $83,000 to $139,000 annually, with eligibility for a 15% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [email protected].