Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Payroll and Benefits Specialist

FLSA Status: Hourly/Non-Exempt

Group: Regular – Full Time

Department: Human Resources

Location: Houston, TX

About Cooper Machinery Services:

Cooper Machinery Services provides natural gas compression equipment and services to customers globally in the Oil & Gas, Power, Transportation, and Marine sectors. With a proud heritage dating back to 1833, Cooper Machinery Services is the OEM for legendary product lines including Cooper-Bessemer™, Ajax™, Superior™, Gemini, TSI, CSI, Enterprise, and Joy. Headquartered in Houston, TX, but with commercial and services hubs around the world, Cooper Machinery Services provides world-class services to more than 22,000 units in its installed base.

Our strength is our people. Each employee plays an integral role in our success and growth. With a commitment to our vision that strong relationships drive strong results and better business, our people make Cooper Machinery Services legendary.

Job Overview

Cooper Machinery Services hiring for a Payroll and Benefits Specialist to contribute to our team in Houston, TX. This newly created role will support our growing HR organization at Cooper as we transform our business and position the company for the future. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for ensuring accurate payroll processing and effective administration of employee benefits. They will support the full employment lifecycle and work closely with members of the HR, finance, and IT teams, as well as provide excellent support to employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Process weekly and bi-weekly payroll for all employee groups

- Work closely with third-party payroll vendors for managed payroll services, when applicable

- Maintain payroll records and manage updates for new hires, terminations, and wage changes

- Reconcile payroll reports, resolve discrepancies, and ensure regulatory compliance

- Support payroll audits, reporting needs, and month-end close activities

- Respond to employee questions regarding pay, taxes, and deductions

- Complete year-end payroll tasks including W-2 review and distribution

- Administer benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans

- Assist employees with coverage questions

- Coordinate with carriers to resolve eligibility and billing issues

- Maintain accurate benefit records in HRIS systems

- Process monthly benefits invoices and support compliance tasks such as ACA reporting and 1095 forms

- Conducts or assists with payroll and benefits audits

- Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

- High School Diploma / GED from an accredited school or institution required

- Minimum 3 years of payroll administration experience

- Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills

- Strong attention to detail, data accuracy, and confidentiality

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word applications

- Experience in ADP WorkforceNow payroll environment

- Experience in UKG environment preferred

- Experience with benefits administration preferred

- Knowledge of COBRA, FMLA and other compliance requirements preferred

- Ability to travel within the USA, as required

Cooper Machinery Services is an equal opportunity employer and gives all qualified applicants consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.