SR. PAYROLL ANALYST

At El Pollo Loco, we are on a mission to be the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant. When it comes to our people, we are all about growth. Whether that means specialized training, a clearly laid out career trajectory or collaborating cross-functionally, we are committed to the success of our people the same way we’ve been committed to the success of the El Pollo Loco brand for the last 50 years. In fact, we see you as our secret ingredient. While our chicken is fire, it’s our people who set us ablaze. 

Our restaurants are only the tip of the flame! If you’re looking for an innovative, winning, and welcoming workplace, then a flamin’ good career in our Restaurant Support Center is right for you.

At our Support Center, we believe our best work is done Together, when departments collaborate and everyone is confident in contributing their ideas. This is why we are in the office 3 days per week. 

Let’s Get Loco!

What’s in it for you!

•  STRONG office culture recognized as a Great Place to Work® and driven by our core values: Simple. Together. Relentless. Ownership. Nimble. Growth
• Career growth opportunities
• Competitive pay and bonus potential
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + HSA Savings Account
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with company match and immediate vesting 
• Paid Vacation + Sick Pay + 12 Paid Holidays 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free El Pollo Loco food + restaurant discounts
• PerkSpot discounts program

Position Details:

Location: Hybrid office schedule

Pay: $35.57 - $48.08 per hour  * projected annualized earnings: $73,985.00 - $100,000 + annual bonus target of 10% of base salary. 

Note: this position is eligible for overtime pay

The Senior Payroll Analyst is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while serving as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll systems, and regulatory compliance. This role partners closely with People Services, Legal, Accounting, Field Operations, and IT to resolve complex payroll issues, support system enhancements, improve business processes, and drive operational excellence. The Senior Payroll Analyst serves as a technical resource for payroll-related initiatives, performs advanced payroll analysis and reconciliations, supports audits and compliance reporting, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the overall employee experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly, multi-state payrolls in compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Audit and validate payroll transactions, including earnings, deductions, taxes, bonuses, retroactive pay, final pay, and other adjustments.
• Process off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, reversals, and corrections; reconcile payroll balances prior to transmission.
• Administer wage garnishments, including child support, tax levies, creditor garnishments, bankruptcy orders, and other court-ordered deductions, ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate withholding.
• Research and resolve payroll and garnishment inquiries in partnership with employees, agencies, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain strong knowledge of multi-state payroll requirements, with particular expertise in California payroll regulations.
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, tax reconciliations, audits, and regulatory reporting.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, variance analysis, and recurring and ad hoc reporting; monitor payroll trends, metrics, and areas of risk.
• Partner with People Services, Accounting, Field Operations, and IT to resolve complex payroll issues and support business needs.
• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and other payroll-related projects.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate processes, improve payroll accuracy and efficiency, and strengthen internal controls.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and best practices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required. 

Education/Work Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED Required.
• 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, including processing large, multi-state payrolls; minimum 3 years supporting enterprise payroll systems.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll regulations with advanced knowledge of California payroll laws.
• Experience processing payroll for organizations with 4,000+ employees preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and reconciliation techniques.
• Experience with payroll audits and reconciliations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex payroll issues and identify root causes.
• Certified Payroll Professional preferred.
• Experience with enterprise level systems (Dayforce Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced payroll knowledge
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service orientation
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and influence without direct authority
• Continuous improvement mindset

Our Company

In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo in town. Over the past four decades, El Pollo Loco has grown into more than 500 restaurants across 9 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way. Today, we continue to work just as hard to always provide our customers with Quality Chicken. Fast. Easy. Affordable.

The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. At El Pollo Loco, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range.   Individual pay decisions will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.