Payroll & Benefits Specialist chez Elephants Delicatessen

Salary:
$28-$32 per hour, DOE 

Schedule:
Full-Time, Monday–Friday (occasional flexibility required for deadlines or hearings) 

About Elephants 

A locally owned company since 1979, Elephants Delicatessen pioneered the gourmet food industry in the Pacific Northwest and now has seven Portland-metro area retail locations and a busy catering company, all serving great local foods prepared from scratch. A certified B Corporation, Elephants Delicatessen prides itself on sustainable practices and voluntarily meets a higher standard of transparency and accountability, using the power of business as a force for good. 

About the job 

As a Payroll & Benefits Specialist, you’ll be responsible for making sure our employees are paid accurately and on time, while also managing benefits and leave programs with care and attention to detail. This role combines technical payroll expertise with employee support—you’ll handle everything from processing payroll and reconciling benefit invoices to guiding employees through FMLA, OFLA, or Paid Leave Oregon. 

You’ll also play a key role in keeping our HR systems accurate and compliant, responding to agency inquiries, and serving as a trusted resource for both employees and managers. Spanish fluency is a plus, as this role often helps ensure clear communication across our diverse workforce. 

This position is a great fit for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys problem-solving, and values being part of a collaborative HR team in a mission-driven Portland company. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Processing bi-weekly payroll cycles, reconciliations, audits, and corrections.
• Administering benefits enrollment, adjustments, and reporting.
• Managing employee leave programs and assisting with accommodations.
• Maintaining accurate HRIS records and compliance with labor laws.
• Provide backup support for HR functions such as onboarding, training, or employee relations, as needed.
• Providing bilingual communication and translating key documents (preferred).

What we’re looking for 

• Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of payroll/benefits experience, or equivalent.
• Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ADP, 7shifts, or similar payroll/HRIS systems preferred.
• Spanish fluency (verbal and written) preferred.
• Professional certifications (FPC, CPP, SHRM-CP, PHR, CEBS) are a plus.

What we offer 

• Paid vacation and sick time
• Kaiser medical coverage with alternative care benefits (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, etc.)
• Mental health services
• Dental, FSA, and 401(k) with 4% company match
• Free counseling and financial services
• Opportunities for advancement
• Discounts on our delicious made-from-scratch food
• Pet insurance
• Employee raffles and prizes
• Discounts with Sketchers, Shoes for Crews, Verizon, Sprint, select B Corporations, and more
• A workplace committed to sustainability, employee well-being, and community impact

Elephants Delicatessen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.