Team Lead, Payroll

Vaco by Highspring; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading payroll services provider in Mississauga seeks an experienced payroll professional with 5-7 years of full-cycle payroll experience. The successful candidate will manage payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees, ensure compliance with Ontario Employment Standards, and mentor a team of payroll specialists. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in payroll systems are essential. Join a collaborative team where you can make a significant impact while navigating a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing in Ontario.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing or unionized environment preferred.
• 1–2 years experience leading or mentoring payroll staff.

Responsibilities

• Perform full-cycle payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees.
• Ensure compliance with payroll legislation and audit requirements.
• Lead and support a team of payroll professionals.

Skills

Payroll processing

Leadership

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Education

PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation

CPM (Certified Payroll Manager)

Tools

Payroll systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform full-cycle payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees, including union and non-union populations
• Process payroll in accordance with Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA), federal legislation, and applicable collective agreements
• Review and validate time and attendance data, overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, vacation, and statutory holiday pay
• Process payroll adjustments, retroactive payments, terminations, and Record of Employment (ROE) submissions
• Ensure accurate calculation and remittance of statutory deductions (CPP, EI, income tax)
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, general ledger entries, and payroll-related accounts
• Support year-end activities including T4/T4A preparation and audits
• Lead, coach, and support a team of payroll professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment
• Assign workloads, monitor deadlines, and ensure coverage for payroll cycles and peak periods
• Provide technical guidance and act as an escalation point for complex payroll issues
• Assist with onboarding, training, and development of payroll team members
• Conduct regular check‑ins, performance feedback, and support performance management activities

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure ongoing compliance with payroll legislation, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Stay current on changes to payroll legislation and best practices; communicate updates to the team
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies, particularly within a manufacturing environment
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Operations, and external vendors to resolve payroll-related issues
• Support system upgrades, testing, and process documentation as required

About You

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing in Ontario
• Previous experience in a manufacturing and/or unionized environment strongly preferred
• At least 1–2 years of experience leading or mentoring payroll staff
• Solid understanding of Ontario ESA, federal payroll legislation, and collective agreements
• Experience with high-volume, hourly payroll and time and attendance systems
• PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation required; CPM (Certified Payroll Manager) considered an asset
• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance hands‑on payroll work with leadership responsibilities
• Clear, confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced, cyclical environment
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information
• Proficient in payroll systems and Microsoft Excel