Payroll Benefits Specialist

Our client is looking for a Senior Payroll & Benefits Specialist responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll and employee benefits for approximately 250 employees, including both retail and administrative staff. This role ensures compliance with applicable payroll legislation, company policies, and benefit plan requirements, while providing excellent internal support to employees and managers. The ideal candidate brings strong end-to-end payroll expertise, hands-on experience with ADP, and a solid understanding of payroll and benefits administration in a multi-group workforce environment.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Administration

• Process full-cycle payroll for approximately 250 employees on a biweekly basis, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
• Administer payroll for both hourly and salaried employees, including retail and administrative employees.
• Review and validate payroll data including hours worked, overtime, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, leaves, and terminations.
• Maintain and update employee payroll records in ADP and related HR/payroll systems.
• Ensure accurate payroll deductions, taxable benefits, garnishments, and remittances.
• Reconcile payroll registers, year-end balances, and other payroll-related reports.
• Prepare and process year-end payroll activities, including T4s/Relevé 1s and other required tax documentation, as applicable.
• Liaise with Finance regarding payroll reconciliations, accruals, and reporting requirements.
• Year end remittances

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollments, changes, terminations, disability leaves, and employee inquiries.
• Act as the main point of contact for employees regarding benefits, pension/RRSP, insurance, and payroll-related questions.
• Coordinate with benefits providers and ensure timely and accurate data submissions.
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices and investigate discrepancies.
• Support benefits renewals, annual enrollment updates, and employee communications.

Health & Safety Support

• Support administration of occupational health & safety programs in collaboration with HR and operations.
• Maintain and track employee records related to workplace incidents, leaves (CNESST/WCB), and return-to-work coordination.
• Assist in the processing of workplace injury claims and ensure accurate payroll and benefits adjustments related to absences.
• Liaise with external agencies (e.g., CNESST) to support compliance and documentation requirements.
• Participate in maintaining health & safety records, reporting metrics, and documentation.
• Support internal audits and compliance initiatives related to workplace health and safety.
• Promote a culture of safety by ensuring payroll and benefits practices align with employee well-being and regulatory obligations.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and provincial payroll legislation, employment standards, and internal policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll legislation, tax updates, and benefits regulations.
• Prepare payroll, benefits, and workforce reports for internal stakeholders as required.
• Assist with internal and external audits related to payroll and benefits.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes, controls, and efficiency.

Employee Support & Collaboration

• Respond to employee and manager inquiries related to payroll, timekeeping, deductions, and benefits in a professional and timely manner.
• Work closely with HR, Finance, and operational leaders to ensure seamless payroll and benefits administration.
• Support onboarding and offboarding activities related to payroll and benefits setup/termination.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 to 10 years of experience in payroll and benefits administration, preferably in a mid-sized organization.
• Proven experience processing payroll for both retail/hourly and administrative/salaried employee groups.
• Strong hands-on experience with ADP payroll systems is required.
• PCP certification (or working toward certification) is considered a strong asset.
• Solid knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, tax regulations, and employment standards.
• Experience administering group benefits plans and managing employee benefits inquiries.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-service mindset.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in a multi-site or retail environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Bilingualism .

Work Environment / Reporting

• Reports to the HR Director
• Works closely with HR, Finance, and operational leaders
• Support payroll and benefits administration across multiple locations

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Discounted or free food
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Store discount
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Montréal, QC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• payroll & benefits specialist: minimum 5 years experience in similar role (required)
• ADP Workforce Now: 3 years (required)