Payroll Specialist

Job title: Payroll Specialist

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Reports to: Director of People

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Compensation: $27 - $32 per hour (full-time)

The Payroll Specialist serves as a key partner across Alfred’s People, Operations, and Finance functions, owning the day-to-day administration and accuracy of payroll for employees across our corporate and cafe locations.

This role is responsible for processing payroll, reviewing timekeeping data, maintaining accurate employee records, resolving payroll discrepancies, and supporting compliance with applicable wage-and-hour requirements. You’ll work closely with managers and employees to identify issues before they become problems and ensure payroll information is complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

What You'll do

Payroll Administration & Compliance

• Lead payroll processing cycle, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
• Review payroll and timekeeping data, including hours, overtime, PTO, sick time, meal premiums, benefit deductions, reimbursements, and other earnings.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and support new-hire setup, employee changes, offboarding, audits, and year-end activities.
• Review payroll registers, identify discrepancies, and process adjustments, off-cycle payments, and final pay as needed.
• Support payroll compliance and required reporting across federal, California, Wisconsin, and applicable local requirements, including EEO reporting, 401(k) reporting and filings, and employee loan administration and oversight.
• Manage and resolve payroll-related tax notices and inquiries, including researching discrepancies, coordinating necessary corrections, and ensuring IRS and other agency notices are addressed and closed out in a timely manner.

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee and manager payroll questions and resolve issues related to pay, timekeeping, deductions, direct deposit, taxes, and PTO.
• Partner with cafe managers and department leaders to resolve payroll and timekeeping issues ahead of deadlines.
• Communicate payroll procedures, deadlines, and expectations clearly and consistently.
• Handle employee and compensation information with a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.

Payroll Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and regularly audit payroll and employee information within HRIS.
• Maintain payroll processes and procedures while identifying opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and manager training.
• Support payroll reporting, system updates, and troubleshooting in partnership with HR, Finance, Operations, and leadership.

What You'll Bring

• 2 - 4 years of payroll, accounting, HR operations, or related experience; experience supporting a multi-location or high-volume hourly workforce strongly preferred.
• Paycom experience is required; Rippling experience is a plus.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll and reviewing timekeeping data, with working knowledge of federal and California wage-and-hour requirements.
• Strong numerical aptitude, attention to detail, and ability to identify and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage deadlines and explain payroll information clearly.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information, with the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• $27 - $32 per hour (full-time)
• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance packages
• Vacation PTO & Sick time accrual
• 401(k) plan (after 12 months of employment)
• Monthly phone reimbursement
• Employee discounts
• Free coffee & pastry during work hours
• Monthly coffee/tea bag take home
• Open Path Collective Therapy reimbursement

About Alfred

Alfred first opened in 2013 on Melrose Place with a singular vision: to become the neighborhood coffee shop of LA. Fueled by consistent innovation, everyday excellence, and creative partnerships, Alfred delivers a whole experience – all part of our ongoing mission to invite everyone into our world and give them every reason to stay. With more than 20 locations across Los Angeles and beyond, Alfred continues to set the bar for coffee culture worldwide.