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Role Description

The Payroll Process Improvement Project Manager is responsible for leading enterprise-wide initiatives to enhance accuracy, strengthen compliance, and improve the driver compensation experience across a multi-state trucking operation. This role serves as a cross-functional project leader partnering with Payroll, Operations, HR, Finance, and IT to streamline processes, reduce payroll disputes, mitigate regulatory risk, and support driver retention. The position operates as a transformation and optimization leader rather than a transactional payroll processor.

Accurate, timely, and transparent payroll is critical in the trucking industry, where compensation trust directly influences driver retention and operational stability. This role ensures payroll functions as both a compliance safeguard and a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining drivers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Payroll Process Optimization
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of end-to-end payroll workflows, including load settlement, driver pay calculation, payroll processing, and reporting.
  • Identify process inefficiencies, control gaps, and error trends.
  • Develop and implement standardized payroll procedures and documentation.
  • Improve integration between Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ELD platforms, fuel systems, and payroll systems.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce manual processes and enhance automation.
• Driver Experience & Retention Support
  • Analyze payroll-related driver disputes and identify root causes.
  • Implement improvements to enhance pay transparency and accuracy.
  • Partner with Operations to ensure timely and accurate submission of pay inputs (mileage, detention, layover, accessorial pay, bonuses).
  • Develop driver-facing educational tools to clarify compensation structures.
  • Establish measurable improvements in payroll accuracy and resolution timelines.
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure compliance with federal and multi-state wage and hour laws.
  • Review and validate proper handling of per diem programs and contractor classifications.
  • Strengthen internal controls to mitigate wage claim exposure.
  • Support internal and external payroll audits.
  • Collaborate with Legal and Finance on payroll-related risk assessments.
• Data, Reporting & Analytics
  • Develop payroll performance metrics and dashboards, including:
    • Payroll error rates
    • Dispute volume and resolution time
    • Labor cost per mile
    • Overtime trends
  • Provide actionable insights to leadership regarding payroll cost drivers and retention impact.
  • Support financial forecasting and labor budgeting processes.
• Project Management & Change Leadership
  • Lead cross-functional payroll improvement projects from planning through implementation.
  • Develop project timelines, milestones, and communication plans.
  • Facilitate stakeholder meetings and executive updates.
  • Coordinate system testing (UAT) and implementation rollouts.
  • Ensure adoption of new processes through training and change management strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Human Resources, or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in payroll operations, process improvement, or project management.
• 3 – 5 years’ minimum experience in transportation, logistics, or trucking environment strongly preferred.
• Multi-state payroll experience required.
• Project management certification (PMP) is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of trucking compensation structures (CPM, percentage pay, accessorial pay, per diem).
• Knowledge of federal and state wage and hour regulations.
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, UKG, Workday, Ceridian) and system integrations.
• Process mapping and continuous improvement expertise.
• Advanced analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Reduction in payroll disputes and error rates
• Improved first-time payroll accuracy
• Decreased time-to-resolution for payroll issues
• Reduction in wage claim exposure
• Measurable impact on driver retention related to pay satisfaction
• Successful implementation of payroll system enhancements

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment with collaboration across field operations and corporate functions. Periodic travel may be required to operational sites.