Benefits and Payroll Specialist (Contract)

Essential Functions:

Payroll Administration

• Process bi-weekly or semi-monthly payroll for approximately 500 hourly and salaried employees across two sites using a payroll management system (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Ceridian Dayforce, or similar).
• Maintain accurate payroll records including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, leaves of absence, and statutory deductions.
• Calculate and remit statutory deductions including Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and federal/provincial income tax in accordance with CRA requirements.
• Process Records of Employment (ROEs) accurately and on time through Service Canada.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and support year-end processes including T4 preparation and distribution.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and provide clear explanations of pay statements, deductions, and entitlements.

Benefits Administration

• Administer group benefits programs including health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), short-term disability (STD), and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Manage employee enrolments, changes, and terminations with benefits carriers and ensure accuracy of plan data.
• Coordinate mandatory Ontario benefit entitlements including WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) reporting and premium remittances.
• Administer the organization’s group RRSP and/or Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP) in compliance with applicable legislation.
• Liaise with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and pension administrators to resolve issues and manage renewals.
• Support the open enrolment process, including preparation of employee-facing communications and materials.
• Track and manage employee leaves including pregnancy and parental leave, compassionate care leave, and other ESA-protected leaves, ensuring proper continuation or adjustment of benefits.

Compliance & Employment Standards

• Ensure all payroll and HR practices comply with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), and other applicable provincial and federal legislation.
• Maintain current knowledge of legislative changes affecting payroll, benefits, and employment standards in Ontario.
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR compliance.
• Maintain confidential and accurate employee records in the HRIS in accordance with PIPEDA and applicable privacy legislation.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of HR policies and procedures to reflect legislative requirements.

Employee Support & Communication

• Act as a primary point of contact for employee questions related to payroll, benefits, and HR programs.
• Deliver clear and accessible communication to employees at both manufacturing sites, accounting for a diverse hourly and salaried workforce.
• Support onboarding by conducting benefits orientation sessions for new hires.
• Collaborate with site supervisors, department managers, and the broader HR team to support workforce administration.
• Travel between the Whitby and Collingwood facilities on an occasional basis as required.

HRIS & Digital Transformation Support

• Serve as a key operational support for the organization’s HRIS, ensuring data accuracy, system integrity, and a positive user experience for employees and managers.
• Maintain and update HRIS records including employee profiles, compensation data, benefits enrolments, and organizational changes across both sites.
• Identify opportunities to improve and digitize HR processes, reducing manual and paper-based workflows in favour of efficient, technology-enabled solutions.
• Support the implementation of new or upgraded HR technology, including payroll, benefits administration, and self-service tools.
• Train and support employees and managers in the use of HR self-service portals and digital tools.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare regular payroll and benefits reports for HR leadership and Finance.
• Track and analyze data related to absenteeism, benefit utilization, and payroll costs.
• Support budget forecasting activities by providing accurate compensation and benefits data.
• Leverage HRIS reporting capabilities to generate insights that support workforce planning and decision-making.

Other

• Adherence to NSG/Pilkington Standards of Business Conduct and its Values and Principles
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Scope/Dimensions:

• This position has zero direct reports, but directly supports approximately 500 salaried and hourly employees within Canada.
• This position will interact with varying levels of employees within the North America region, including from multiple departments.
• This position will be a key contact with external benefit providers, and will act as a liaison between any external Canadian government organizations and internal legal/ HR

Top 3 Competencies Needed for Success in the Role:  

• Decision Making: Focuses data analysis on the most relevant and important information without getting lost in detail
• Safety & Quality Focus:  Demonstrates a visible commitment to safety, quality and ethical behavior
• Engages and Inspires Others:  Works collaboratively and builds trust to develop enduring working relationships with others

Qualifications Required:

• Post-secondary education or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field; or a combination of education and equivalent experiences
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in payroll and/or HR benefits administration in Ontario.
• Solid working knowledge of Ontario employment standards legislation (ESA, WSIA, Human Rights Code).
• Hands-on experience with a Canadian payroll system (e.g., ADP, Ceridian, Payworks, or similar).
• Strong understanding of statutory deductions, ROE processing, and CRA remittance requirements.
• Experience administering group benefits programs including health, dental, disability, and life insurance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data validation).
• Experience maintaining an HRIS platform, with an aptitude for learning new HR technology.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail with a commitment to data integrity and confidentiality.

Qualifications Desired:

• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation or working toward completion through the National Payroll Institute (NPI).
• Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or in progress.
• Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or unionized environment.
• Familiarity with WSIB claims management and return-to-work processes.
• Experience with pension plan administration (DCPP or DBPP).
• Experience with UKG

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to travel occasionally (10% or less time will be spent traveling)
• Must be able to occasionally work in an industrial environment, which can include walking, standing and sitting in a warm environment.