Payroll & Benefits Manager

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LP Brands (LPB) is the corporate hub supporting the Lobster Place family of businesses: LP Seafood & Specialty (LPSS), our wholesale seafood distribution company;
Lobster Place Hospitality Group (LPHG), which oversees our restaurant and retail operations. Across all entities, LP Brands drives people operations, finance, culture, systems, and compliance to ensure our teams can deliver exceptional service, hospitality, and product quality every day.

The Payroll & Benefits Manager ensures timely and accurate payroll processing, administers all health and welfare benefits, oversees leave management, and partners closely with both HR and Finance on compliance, reporting, and systems optimization. This role manages the full lifecycle of payroll and benefits and serves as a trusted resource for employees seeking clarity, support, and guidance.

This individual reports directly to Human Resources (LP Brands) with a dotted line to Finance. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, analytical, bilingual in English and Spanish, and committed to improving processes that enhance the employee experience.

This position follows a hybrid schedule, consisting of three remote workdays per week and two required in-office days at LPHG’s Manhattan location, with flexibility to occasionally visit the LPSS headquarters in the Bronx.

• Execute weekly payroll for all LP entities with accuracy and timeliness.
• Validate all earnings, commissions, bonuses, deductions, garnishments, and tax with holdings.
• Monitor payroll accuracy weekly and proactively identify trends or issues.
• Maintain detailed and confidential payroll records; ensure data integrity.
• Partner with Finance on labor coding, payroll journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Manage special payroll items including back pay, adjustments, garnishments, and one-time payments.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll-related reports.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee payroll inquiries.
• Own and update the Tip Sheet and ensure compliance with policies.
• Administer and maintain HRIS/payroll systems (ADP Workforce Now).
• Manage WOTC filing, processing, and reporting.
• Coordinate and distribute W2s.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee payroll questions.

• Administer all employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, transit, and ancillary benefits.
• Lead Annual Benefits Renewal in partnership with brokers and Finance.
• Process all benefit enrollments, changes, terminations, and file-feed updates.
• Complete weekly and monthly benefit billing reconciliations (Medical, Dental, Vision, Transit).
• Oversee COBRA administration.
• Manage 401(k) and Pension programs, including enrollments, loans, distributions, audit preparation, and annual reporting.
• Own Open Enrollment planning, employee communication, system configuration, and presentations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefit questions.

• Manage and administer all employee leave programs, including FMLA, Paid Family Leave (PFL), ADA accommodations, disability leaves, workers’ compensation, and personal leaves of absence.
• File claims, track cases, manage accounts, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Serve as the first line of communication for employees going out on or returning from leave.
• Coordinate accurate pay and benefit continuation during leave periods.
• Update calendars and internal notifications related to leaves.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, IRS, OSHA, and DOL requirements.
• Own ACA compliance and monitoring, including monthly tracking and annual 1095‑C review and distribution.
• Manage ADP file feed monitoring, troubleshooting, and vendor escalations.
• Oversee all annualized filings including Form 5500s, pension reports, and nondiscrimination testing.
• Handle IRS follow-ups and inquiries.
• Maintain HRIS and payroll data integrity through regular audits.
• Support Workers’ Compensation audits, pension audits,…