Payroll Processing Lead

As a Payroll Processing Lead, you'll play a critical role in ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery for employees across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Leading a team of payroll professionals responsible for annual payroll disbursements exceeding $1 billion, you'll help drive operational excellence while maintaining compliance with complex payroll regulations, policies, and deadlines. This role can be performed remotely in the United States where Kellanova operates. For individuals in the Battle Creek or Grand Rapids, MI areas, the position follows a flexible hybrid schedule with 5 days a month in the office.

In this highly collaborative role, you'll partner closely with Payroll Operations leadership, Payroll Tax, HR, Leave Management, Cash Management, and other key stakeholders to support payroll processing across 13 legal entities. From developing team members and overseeing payroll administration to leading continuous improvement initiatives and enhancing payroll accuracy, you'll have a direct impact on both the employee experience and the effectiveness of our payroll operations.

A Taste of What You'll Be Doing

• People Leadership & Team Development - Lead, coach, and develop a team of eight payroll professionals responsible for annual payroll disbursements exceeding $1 billion, ensuring operational excellence, business continuity, and ongoing professional growth. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, cross-training, and continuous learning.
• Payroll Operations & Compliance - Oversee payroll processing activities for the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution, reconciliation reviews, audit compliance, reporting, and adherence to regulatory requirements and critical payroll deadlines.
• Payroll Governance & Payment Administration - Provide oversight of supplemental payments, overpayment recovery, garnishment administration, taxable benefits, wage reporting, and year-end payroll activities to ensure accurate employee payments, payroll accounting, and financial reporting.
• Associate Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration - Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and associate concerns while partnering with Payroll Tax, HR, Leave Management, Cash Management, and other stakeholders to resolve issues, support key business processes, and enhance the employee experience.
• Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence - Lead process improvement initiatives through metrics, process mapping, documentation reviews, training programs, and operational best practices to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, and overall service delivery.

We're Looking for Someone With

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• Progressive payroll experience, including demonstrated experience leading people, projects, or complex payroll operations in a multi-state and/or multi-country environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian payroll regulations, including wage assignments, garnishments, tax levies, labor laws, FLSA requirements, and payroll compliance practices.
• Experience overseeing payroll reconciliations, audits, overpayment recovery, year-end activities, taxable earnings, and complex employee pay situations.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop team members while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex situations, and meet critical payroll deadlines.
• Ability to handle sensitive employee information with professionalism, discretion, and a high degree of confidentiality.
• Flexible and results-driven, with the ability to provide additional support during payroll processing cycles, year-end activities, and other peak periods to ensure payroll commitments are met.

Compensation

The annual salary range is $94,400-$122,500, which is based on various factors such as location, experience and skill. Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance are also available.

What’s Next

Applications for this position will be accepted through November 30th, 2026. After you apply, your application will be reviewed by a real recruiter, so it may take us a few weeks to get back with you by email or phone. If you join our team, you’ll be rewarded for the difference you make. Our comprehensive benefits offer you the support you need through your life events, big or small. All applicants must have permanent legal authorization to work in the United States. Kellanova does not sponsor employment visas for this role.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, employee assistance program, short-term disability coverage, and long-term disability insurance. Also, voluntary income protection benefits such as supplemental life, accident as well as a 401(k) plan with company contributions is available. Part-time employees may have access to benefits on a pro-rated basis. See KellanovaTotalHealth.com for more information.

Need assistance throughout the application or hiring process? Email [email protected].

Get to Know Us

We’ve always been driven to unleash the full potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate people. Our iconic, world-class brands at Kellanova include Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, MorningStar Farms, Special K, Krave, Zucaritas, Tresor, Crunchy Nut, among others.

Mars, Incorporated has acquired Kellanova in a transaction that brings together iconic brands, storied legacies and outstanding capabilities with a view to shape the future of snacking. You can learn more here, and our hiring teams will be happy to discuss further questions if your application advances in the hiring process.

Let’s shape the future of snacking.

Kellanova is an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to provide an inclusive work environment, a seat for everyone at the table, and embraces the diverse talent of its people. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding our efforts to advance Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, please visit our website here .