Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Emterra Group; Oakville; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Emterra Group, recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, is seeking a Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist. This full-time role focuses on payroll processing, compliance, and employee benefits management within Ontario. You will enhance payroll processes to align with legal standards while offering exceptional employee support, contributing to a sustainable environment and employee satisfaction.

Benefits

Comprehensive Group Insurance Plan

Family-oriented culture

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Canadian payroll and benefits administration.
• In-depth knowledge of Ontario payroll legislation.
• Experience with multi-line payroll and direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Administer full-cycle payroll for salaried, hourly and unionized employees.
• Manage group benefits plans and liaise with benefit providers.
• Ensure compliance with payroll regulations and perform audits.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Post-secondary education in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification

Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation

Tools

Payworks

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Who We Are

Emterra Group is adynamic, growth-oriented, and safety-focused group of companies. Our organization have been deemed to be an “essential service” by providing collection and processing for recycling, organics, and waste that keep our communities clean and safe. With customer service and safety as our focus, we are looking for an energetic and driven employee to support our growing company and play a crucial role in waste diversion and the circular economy. Emterra is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, a certified diverse supplier of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) and the Canadian Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBE).

Job Summary:

The Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for managing and executing all aspects of payroll processing and employee benefits programs for Canadian - Ontario operations, with a strong focus on compliance, accuracy, and customer service. This role will play a key part in developing and enhancing payroll and benefits processes while ensuring alignment with federal and provincial legislation, primarily within Ontario.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Administration:

• Administer full-cycle, biweekly or weekly payroll for salaried, hourly and unionized employees in Ontario and other provinces as applicable.
• Experience with multiple payrolls and multiple unions is required.
• Ensure payroll processing complies with the Canada Labour Code, Employment Standards Act (ESA - Ontario), and CRA tax regulations.
• Maintain payroll records and employee data accurately in the HRIS/payroll system (Payworks).
• Calculate and process vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, bonuses, commissions, and terminations in accordance with ESA.
• Reconcile payroll and related accounts (CPP, EI) accounts with CRA and payroll processing system (Payworks) and execute with month-end and year-end reporting (e.g., T4s, ROEs, WSIB reporting).

Benefits Administration:

• Administer group benefits plans, including health, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability.
• Act as the primary liaison with benefit providers, insurance brokers as well and HR teams.
• Lead annual open enrollment and communicate plan changes to employees.
• Ensure compliance with applicable benefits-related legislation, including OHIP, EI, CPP, and WSIB.
• Handle new hire enrolments, life event changes, and terminations within required timeframes.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Maintain compliance with CRA, ESA, WSIB, EHT, OHSA, and other relevant employment standards and tax laws.
• Prepare and submit government remittances and reports (e.g., EHT, T4, T2200, PD7A)
• Prepare and maintain reconciliations for payroll remittance accounts with government authorities.
• Prepare and maintain union dues schedules and remittance details to support accounting teams
• Support internal and external audits, including payroll and benefits audits.

Employee Support & Continuous Improvement:

• Serve as a key point of contact for employee inquiries related to payroll and benefits.
• Develop and deliver employee training or communications on payroll and benefits topics.
• Identify opportunities for process and productivity improvements within payroll processing and benefits management.
• Stay up to date with legislative changes affecting payroll and benefits in Ontario and across Canada.

Qualifications:

• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification required.
• Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP)designation is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and employment standards, particularly Ontario ESA.
• Post-secondary education in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Canadian payroll and benefits administration, including multi-line payroll. Experience with Payworks is a definite plus.
• 2-5 years experience as a lead or senior payroll specialist with at least one direct report.
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to manage confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Innovative and creative, team collaboration mindset with the desire to seek change wherever needed supporting the organizational needs that comes with the growth of the business
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.

Working Conditions:

• This is a full-time onsite position, Monday to Friday.
• May require occasional extended hours during year-end, audits, or benefits enrollment periods.

What do we have to offer you?

• Base salary along with a comprehensive Group Insurance Plan
• A solid organization within which youcandevelop your competencies for futuregrowth.
• A family-oriented culture with an entrepreneurial mind-set that encourages you to take ownership of your role and effectchange.

Are you ready to jumpstart your career by joining one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and become part of the environmental solution? If so, apply now! We appreciate all applicants who apply however only those who are qualified, will be contacted.

Emterra Group is committed to maintaining an equitable, fair, and diverse environment. Any applicants who have a disability or require reasonable accommodation may speak directly with our Human Resources Department. Reasonable accommodations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.