Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Summary
The Sr. Payroll Administrator is an individual contributor role responsible for the management and execution of all aspects of the U.S. payroll program for approximately 700 employees. This position reports to the Sr. HR Manager and is a hybrid role working in the Beachwood, Ohio office.
Job Responsibilities:
- Manage weekly and bi-weekly payroll processing in the Workday HRIS system with support from external service vendor.
- Review, audit and reconcile all hourly timekeeping and payroll-related documentation.
- Administer the Workday timekeeping module in partnership with the HRIS team.
- Ensure timely collection and processing of employee time with HR Business Partners.
- Oversee payroll inputs, deductions and monthly/quarterly/year-end reporting.
- Provide administration oversight and strategic direction for payroll and tax processing.
- Ensure payroll is processed accurately, on time and in compliance with regulations.
- Prepare and submit required reports/payments to government agencies and insurers.
- Partner with Accounting on payroll-related accounts payable activities.
- Act as primary contact for external payroll and tax service providers.
- Review and approve W2 and 1099 filings, including corrections.
- Support 401(k) administration with the U.S. Benefits Team.
- Assist with internal and external audits.
- Train backup payroll administrators and participate in special projects.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive payroll management and HRIS experience.
- Workday payroll processing experience required; timekeeping module preferred.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll laws, FLSA and GAAP as related to payroll.
- Above-average verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, detail orientation and customer service skills.
- Strong time management with ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills.
🌍 Global Benefits Overview
💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation
🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme
📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Finance or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive payroll management and HRIS experience
- Workday payroll processing experience
- Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll laws, FLSA and GAAP as related to payroll
- Above-average verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational, detail orientation and customer service skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
What We Do
Synthomer is a business-to-business speciality chemicals producer. We create value for all our stakeholders by applying our expertise and innovation capabilities to provide high-performance water-based polymers and ingredients to a wide range of blue-chip customers in multiple attractive end markets. Synthomer are headquartered and stock listed in the UK. We have more than 30 operational sites across Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia including four innovation centres of excellence. The Company employs around 4,200 entrepreneurial, highly skilled employees with the expertise and experience to drive our success worldwide.
