Payroll Manager - GROWMARK, Inc. - Bloomington, IL

SALARY RANGE: $91,400.00 - $125,675.00

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Provides strategic and operational leadership for enterprise payroll operations for GROWMARK, Inc. and member cooperative customers. Accountable for the accuracy, compliance, financial integrity, and internal controls of all payroll processes, including multi-state and multi-jurisdictional tax compliance.

Partners closely with the HR Technology Manager and accounting teams to align payroll operations with system strategy, integrations, reporting governance, and organizational priorities. Ensures payroll processes are scalable, audit-ready, and aligned with corporate accounting standards and growth

Initiatives, including acquisitions and new customer onboarding.

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP

Leads, develops, and mentors the Payroll team, including payroll specialists and technical payroll specialists.

Establishes clear performance standards, internal controls, and service expectations to ensure timely and accurate payroll delivery across the GROWMARK System.

Fosters a culture of accountability, financial discipline, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leads and oversees all payroll processing activities for corporate and customer entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and adherence to established internal controls.

Develops, implements, and maintains payroll procedures and process documentation, including process mapping to support consistency, audit readiness, and scalability.

Coordinates monthly payroll general ledger balancing, accruals, benefit deductions, and liability reconciliations in partnership with Finance.

Ensures compliance with federal, provincial, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including quarterly filings, year-end reporting (W-2s, T4s), and related regulatory submissions.

Maintains ownership of payroll master data configuration, system controls, and payroll-related security access.

Serves as payroll lead for system upgrades, enhancements, and conversions, partnering closely with the HR Technology Manager to prioritize initiatives and ensure proper testing and production readiness.

Supports integrations between payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and financial systems to ensure accurate data flow and reporting.

Leads payroll activities related to acquisitions and new customer onboarding, including due diligence review, process alignment, system setup, parallel testing, and post-conversion validation.

Provides guidance to customers and internal stakeholders regarding payroll tax treatment, wage and benefit administration, and reporting requirements.

Supports internal, external, and Worker’s Compensation audits by providing required documentation and payroll-related analysis.

Identifies opportunities for process improvement, automation, and operational efficiencies within payroll operations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Promotes innovation, automation, and modern payroll practices within the department.

Ensures compliance with GROWMARK’s Code of Conduct, Corporate Compliance Program, and applicable safety and regulatory policies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Normally requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or the equivalent thereof, and 5 years or more of related work experience to demonstrate the ability to provide payroll leadership to the GROWMARK system.

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or accounting equivalent certification preferred.

Demonstrated experience with payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial controls. Strong understanding of internal controls, audit procedures, and multi-jurisdictional payroll compliance.

Proven supervisory and leadership skills including team building, staffing, coaching and development and the ability to achieve results through others.

Experience supporting system implementations, conversions, or integrations. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and partner with HR Technology and Finance. Strong analytical, organization, and project management skills.

Valid driver’s license and passport with ability to travel as needed.

Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.

At GROWMARK, we are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and parental leave, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.  In addition to base pay, certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, incentives, and commissions.