Payroll Manager

Now hiring! Payroll Manager

Southfield, MI - On-site

BASF Coatings is a global supplier of high quality, durable coatings for new vehicle manufacturing, including advanced color design as well as efficient, high-standard repair solutions with digital color matching and surface treatment solutions under the Chemetall brand for preparing and protecting metal, plastic, and glass surfaces, ensuring adhesion and corrosion resistance.  

Make Payroll Matter — Lead, Innovate, and Own the Engine

Payroll isn’t just processing here — it’s impact. We’re looking for a Payroll Manager who wants to own end‑to‑end, in‑house payroll operations and be the trusted expert employees, leaders, and partners rely on. If you love precision and problem‑solving, compliance and continuous improvement, this role gives you visibility, influence, and room to make things better every day.

Make Payroll Matter — Lead, Innovate, and Own the Engine

Payroll isn’t just processing here — it’s impact. We’re looking for a Payroll Manager who wants to own end‑to‑end, in‑house payroll operations and be the trusted expert employees, leaders, and partners rely on. If you love precision and problem‑solving, compliance and continuous improvement, this role gives you visibility, influence, and room to make things better every day.

What You'll be doing:

Own In‑House Payroll Operations

• Lead accurate, timely payroll for regular, off‑cycle, bonus, and termination runs.
• Review and approve earnings, deductions, taxes, and net pay before disbursement.
• Ensure clean processing of time & attendance, PTO, retro pay, and adjustments.
• Own year‑end activities including W‑2s, W‑2c corrections, and reconciliations.

Be the Multi‑State Compliance Expert

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage & hour and tax regulations.
• Manage registrations, filings, deposits, and reconciliations across jurisdictions.
• Oversee garnishments, levies, and child support orders with precision and care.
• Stay ahead of legislative changes and translate them into payroll action.

Lead Systems, Data & Controls

• Own payroll system configuration, security, and workflows.
• Partner with HRIS, Time & Attendance, and IT on integrations and controls.
• Lead system upgrades, enhancements, testing, and documentation.
• Build and maintain SOPs that make payroll scalable and audit‑ready.

Strengthen Controls & Reduce Risk

• Design and maintain strong internal controls and approval structures.
• Perform reconciliations, variance analysis, and tax liability reviews.
• Support internal and external audits with confidence and clarity.

Connect Payroll to the Business

• Partner with Finance on payroll expense allocation, GL postings, and accruals.
• Support month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close.
• Manage payroll funding and cash forecasting.

Be a Trusted Partner

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll questions.
• Guide HR, managers, and employees with clear, calm expertise.
• Create payroll communications employees actually understand.

Lead & Improve

• Coach, develop, and motivate payroll staff.
• Set payroll calendars, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Drive automation, efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Experience & Education:

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of multi‑state payroll experience.
• 3+ years in a payroll leadership or manager role.
• Proven experience running in‑house payroll.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Deep knowledge of U.S. payroll laws and tax regulations.
• Hands‑on experience with payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now, UKG, Workday Payroll, or Ceridian Dayforce.
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and controls.

Certifications (Nice to Have)

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) strongly preferred.
• FPC a plus.

How You’ll Succeed Here

• You’re detail‑obsessed and big‑picture minded.
• You bring calm, confidence, and clarity to complex issues.
• You love improving processes, not just maintaining them.
• You build trust quickly with HR, Finance, IT, and employees.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

About us

As one of the largest chemical companies in North America we have been finding solutions for your everyday needs and addressing the most complex economic, environmental, and sustainability challenges for more than 150 years!

At BASF we empower our employees with the tools, guidance and opportunities they need to advance and succeed in work and life. Giving you the support you need to be your best and fulfill your personal ambitions is what helps us create chemistry. After all, our success is linked to yours. Whatever path you envision, BASF is a great place to build a rewarding, successful career.

Belong to Something Bigger. #belongatBASF

Privacy statement

BASF takes security & data privacy very seriously. We will never request financial information of any kind via email, private text message or direct message on any social medial platform or job board. Furthermore, we will never send a candidate a check for equipment or request any type of payment during the job application process. If you have experienced any of the above, please contact Careers.NorthAmerica@basf.com to report fraud.

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.