Senior Manager, Payroll

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Reports To: Assistant Controller
Department: Finance

About Picarro:
Picarro is a global leader in gas analytics, providing precise measurement and monitoring solutions for environmental, industrial, and scientific applications. Our mission is to deliver accurate, reliable, and transformative insights through innovation, technology, and collaboration.

Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Payroll will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of U.S. payroll processing while providing global payroll oversight through the review and approval of outsourced payroll operations in EMEA and APAC. This role ensures payroll accuracy, compliance, and timeliness across all geographies while driving process improvements and leveraging technology to streamline operations. The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented, hands-on payroll leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities
U.S. Payroll Management
  - Own end-to-end U.S. payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees, ensuring accurate and timely payroll in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
   - Oversee tax reporting, wage garnishments, benefits deductions, and other statutory requirements.
    - Maintain and reconcile payroll records, prepare payroll journal entries, and coordinate with Finance on month-end close.
Global Payroll Oversight
   - Review and approve outsourced payroll submissions for EMEA and APAC regions, ensuring accuracy, compliance with local regulations, and adherence to internal controls.
   - Partner with regional HR and external vendors to address payroll-related inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
    - Ensure global payroll processes align with corporate standards and reporting requirements.
Compliance & Audit
  - Ensure payroll practices comply with all applicable wage, hour, and tax laws, as well as internal policies.
  - Support internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
- Systems & Process Improvement
  - Leverage the HRIS and payroll systems to optimize efficiency, accuracy, and reporting capabilities.
  - Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance payroll operations and employee experience.
- Collaboration & Communication
  - Partner closely with HR, Finance, and Legal to ensure payroll alignment with company policies, benefits, and reporting requirements.
  - Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, systems, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field preferred; CPP certification a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 3 years in a payroll leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, compliance requirements and garnishment administration.
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing
• Proficiency in payroll systems such as ADP WFN, BambooHR, or equivalent enterprise platforms.
• Experience reviewing and approving outsourced payroll in multiple international regions.
• Skilled in payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Expertise in payroll process optimization, automation, and system integrations with HRIS, ERP, and benefits platforms.
• Advanced Excel skills for payroll data analysis, audits, and reconciliations.
• Experience managing year-end processes, including W-2, 1099, and other statutory filings.
• Knowledge of benefits-related payroll impacts, including health insurance deductions, 401(k) contributions, and FSA/HSA processing.
• Familiarity with SOX compliance, internal controls, and payroll audit requirements.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with a high degree of discretion and data security awareness.

The salary for this role is $ 150,000 to $ 170,000 annually. Our total compensation package includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in various applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California, and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or on the basis of disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals.

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process, and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Picarro, Inc. at disabilityassistance@picarro.com for assistance.