Payroll Specialist + HR Operations

Payroll Specialist + HR COE– Canada (On-Site)

Reporting to the Senior HR Manager, The Payroll Specialist is responsible for end-to-end administration of payroll and payroll related programs for 500+ employees while supporting key Human Resources operational activities. The role serves as a critical partner to HR and Finance, ensuring compliance, data integrity, and exceptional employee service. The role will partner with the HR Center of Excellence (COE) with dotted line reporting, to ensure effective local execution and alignment with global strategy.

As a Payroll Specialist your Primary focus will be on Payroll Administration (60-75%):

• Serve as a primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing timely, accurate, and professional responses.
• Accurately process bi-weekly payroll for 500+ employees (Salary and Hourly) across 5 shift structures utilizing ADP Workforce Now.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, administrative efficiency, and employee experience.
• Monitor relevant legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll, benefits, deductions, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure proper auditing methods are established and executed for continued data integrity and elimination of payroll errors and overpayments.
• Review and validate payroll inputs, including hours worked, overtime, shift premiums, vacation, statutory holidays, leave of absence, bonuses, retroactive adjustments, and other earnings or deductions.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, deductions, remittances, and related accounting information in collaboration with Finance.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes by coordinating payroll documentation, benefit enrolment, final pay inputs, and related employee changes.
• Administer year-end payroll activities, including T4 preparation and reconciliation, taxable benefits, and other required reporting.
• Support the preparation and issuance of Records of Employment (ROEs) in accordance with Service Canada requirements.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with applicable employment standards, tax requirements, and other relevant federal and provincial legislation.
• Maintain payroll documentation and support internal and external audits.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, banking information, personal information, and benefit records.
• Apply appropriate controls to protect sensitive information and ensure payroll changes are properly authorized and documented.

Secondary focus will be on HR Operations and Centre of Excellence Specialization (15-25%)

Centre of Excellence Specialization Pathways

Option A – HRIS & People Analytics

For candidates with HR technology and systems experience.

• Act as site lead for HRIS administration and system optimization.
• Support system implementations, integrations, testing, and upgrades.
• Develop HR dashboards, workforce analytics, and reporting.
• Partner with HR COEs to enhance technology solutions and data governance.
• Drive automation and process efficiency initiatives.

Option B – Compensation & Total Rewards

For candidates with compensation, pay equity, or rewards experience.

• Conduct salary benchmarking and market analysis.
• Support annual compensation planning and salary review processes.
• Assist with job evaluation, job leveling, and pay structure administration.
• Analyze internal equity and compensation trends.
• Support recognition and reward programs.

Option C – Benefits & Wellness Administration

For candidates with benefits administration expertise.

• Administer benefit and pension programs.
• Manage enrollments, changes, and vendor relationships.
• Support employee wellness and total rewards initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with benefits legislation and plan requirements.
• Provide employee education and support regarding benefits offerings.

We are looking for someone who:

• Bachelors Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field.
• At least 3-5 years of payroll experience
• Proficiency with payroll software, preferably ADP Workforce Now.
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation, or working towards with active enrollment.
• Strong knowledge of applicable legislation as it pertains to payroll/benefits and employment legislation
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgement in adapting and applying procedures to address day-to-day activities
• Attention to detail, demonstrated ability to work with complex data sets and maintain a high level of accuracy,
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Resourceful, diplomatic, customer service oriented
• Must be highly focused and able to work with minimal supervision, managing deadlines and prioritizing tasks
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Is client-centric; proactively anticipates and actions internal customers’ needs
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data analysis).

Preferred Qualifications for HR Operational Support

HRIS Track

• Experience with HRIS administration, reporting, system implementation, or data analytics.

Compensation Track

• Experience with compensation analysis, salary structures, market pricing, or job evaluation.

Benefits Track

• Experience administering benefit and pension programs and working with external providers.

What we offer you:

The pay range for this position is between $70,000-$90,000 annually.

Please note the pay information shown above is a general guideline. Pay is based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications.

This position is eligible for participation in our Quarterly Incentive Pay Program

G&W Electric offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Generous Quarterly Bonuses with RRSP Program
• Comprehensive Benefit Package including life insurance, health, dental, health care spending account and paramedical services (paid by employer)
• Company Holidays (one week shutdown during Christmas Holidays)
• Education Tuition Assistance
• Job Security
• Air-conditioned/heated state-of-the-art manufacturing facility
• Wellness and Gym Reimbursement Programs
• Training and Developmental Opportunities
• Continuous Performance Feedback
• Fun social events, holiday party, bowling nights.
• And many more…

About G&W Electric

Innovating since 1905, G&W Electric has grown into a global leader in engineered electrical power grid solutions. Working with us means joining a worldwide team of passionate manufacturing professionals striving to continually improve the technologies the world depends on to deliver safe, reliable electricity. Our culture is focused on employee success, so we foster an entrepreneurial environment that encourages everyone to thrive.

Learn more about our company by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtAhsdYeUQ

G&W Electric enjoys a long reputation for product quality, innovation and world-class customer service to the power industry. We have established this reputation by believing that our greatest asset is our employees. We owe our success to the initiative and talents of highly skilled individuals within our team-based organization. Our goal is to set the standard for customer satisfaction by ensuring a superior level of service, performance and innovation. As a global organization and industry leader, we are committed to cultivating an engaging work environment that embraces our core values and develops our talent. Our continuous focus on growth and innovation means that you become part of a company that provides challenging opportunities, rewards excellence and combines your individual expertise to achieve a higher level of shared success. As part of our organization, you also help power the world!

G&W Canada Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, upon request. Please let us know if you require any accommodation in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.