Senior Manager, Benefits

Smurfit Westrock Company; Candiac; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock Company in Canada seeks a Senior Manager to lead strategy, governance, administration, and compliance for Canadian retirement and health and welfare benefit programs. You will serve as the primary Canadian benefits expert and collaborate with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and external vendors to ensure cost-effective, compliant programs aligned with Total Rewards.

The role requires 8+ years of experience in Canadian benefits, strong knowledge of pension legislation, and fluency

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience managing Canadian retirement and/or health and welfare benefit programs.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian pension legislation and employee benefits administration.
• Experience managing vendors, consultants, and complex benefit programs.
• Strong analytical, financial, project management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Fluent in French and English (U.S.).

Responsibilities

• Lead design, administration, and governance of Canadian pension, retirement savings, and health and welfare benefit programs.
• Develop benefit strategies that support business objectives and employee well-being.
• Manage consultants, actuaries, insurers, trustees, and third-party administrators, including renewals and negotiations.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, governance, audits, financial reporting, and required pension and benefits filings.
• Monitor program performance, utilization, market trends, and legislative changes.
• Lead benefit budgeting, forecasting, cost management, annual enrollment, and employee communications.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, organizational changes, and benefits harmonization initiatives.
• Provide executive reporting and Canadian benefits expertise to senior leadership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial skills

Project management

Communication

Influencing skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, or related field

Job description

The Opportunity

Smurfit Westrock seeks a Senior Manager, Canada Retirement & Health & Welfare Benefits to lead strategy, governance, administration, and compliance for Canadian retirement and employee benefit programs. This role serves as the primary Canadian benefits subject matter expert and partners with HR, Finance, Payroll, Legal, and external vendors to ensure programs are competitive, compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with our Total Rewards strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, administration, and governance of Canadian pension, retirement savings, and health and welfare benefit programs.
• Develop benefit strategies that support business objectives, employee well-being, and financial sustainability.
• Manage consultants, actuaries, insurers, trustees, and third-party administrators, including performance, renewals, and negotiations.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, governance, audits, financial reporting, and required pension and benefits filings.
• Monitor program performance, utilization, market trends, and legislative changes and recommend improvements.
• Lead benefit budgeting, forecasting, cost management, annual enrollment, and employee communications.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, organizational changes, and benefits harmonization initiatives.
• Provide executive reporting, recommendations, and Canadian benefits expertise to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience managing Canadian retirement and/or health and welfare benefit programs.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian pension legislation and employee benefits administration.
• Experience managing vendors, consultants, and complex benefit programs.
• Strong analytical, financial, project management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Fluent in French and English (U.S.)

Preferred Qualifications

• CEBS, GBA, RPA, CHRL, CHRP, CPP, or related designation.
• Experience in a large, multi-site manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience with mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and benefits harmonization.

What Success Looks Like

• Effective governance and compliance of Canadian retirement and benefit plans.
• Strong vendor performance and service delivery.
• Successful execution of strategic benefit initiatives and annual enrollment.
• Improved employee experience and thoughtful management of program costs.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.