Sr. Payroll Specialist

ALGOMA STEEL INC.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada

The Company 

At Algoma, our transformation is driven by our people. Guided by our core values - safety, teamwork, integrity, and caring - we offer meaningful careers where employees can contribute to critical industries while growing their skills and experience. Whether you’re starting your career or bringing years of expertise, you’ll be part of a company investing in its future, strengthening Canada’s domestic supply chain, and making a lasting impact.

 A Place to Call Home

Algoma Steel takes great pride in preserving the high quality of life offered by the Sault - a vibrant and beautiful city that’s surrounded by stunning natural scenery. With its affordable housing, impressive work/life balance, and lack of commute times, it’s the perfect place to raise a family and call home.

For more information on living and working in Sault Ste. Marie, visit https://welcometossm.com.

Senior Payroll Specialist

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Assistant Manager - Payroll

Role Level: L2

Primary Purpose

To ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll for employees and pensioners, while maintaining compliance with all legislative, union, and corporate reporting requirements. This role also supports financial analysis, data and reporting activities, system integration, and continuous improvement in payroll processes.

Functional Accountabilities

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of monthly and bi-weekly payrolls for employees and retirees.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of pension payroll payments.
• Maintain and develop payroll processes, procedures, and policies to ensure seamless integration with HR, Finance, and IT systems.
• Ensure compliance and fulfillment with statutory reporting deadlines and remittance schedules for employee and employer obligations & withholdings.
• Ensure compliance and fulfillment with Company and Union requirements, in relation to Payroll (e.g., leave bank reconciliations, annual CBA/company policy items).
• Collaborate with IT Business Analysts to support payroll system changes (e.g., SAP/UKG), including requirements gathering, testing, and implementation.
• Identify payroll system issues and escalate for resolution as appropriate.

Direct Process Accountabilities

• Process payroll for employees, retirees pensioners, and affiliates (such as but not limited to US Sales, EPCL) including off-cycle runs for bonuses and corrections
• Prepare and issue Records of Employment (ROEs) per government requirements.
• Ensure timely and accurate remittances to government agencies and third-party vendors.
• Plan and execute activities related to payroll processing, year-end procedures, and other reporting obligations as required.
• Reconcile payroll results and maintain compliance with annual and quarterly reporting requirements (e.g., T4/T4A, CPP/EI, QPP/QIT, WSIB, EHT).
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and prepare journal entries to ensure accurate financial reporting (e.g., monthly/quarterly/annual financial activities)
• Maintain documentation for payroll-related financial transactions and audit trails.
• Maintain payroll statistics and reporting for each pay period, including gross earnings, deductions, and net disbursements.
• Conduct periodic audits of payroll data and controls to ensure accuracy and compliance with legislative and Company requirements.
• Ensure consistent integration across HR/payroll systems (SAP), and validate data entry for accuracy and completeness.
• Witness affidavits and sign payroll cheques as required.
• Support quarterly reviews and annual audit processes.
• Respond to business inquiries on data and reporting related tasks, and provide insights when applicable.
• Obtain cooperation from other groups in solving day-to-day problems.

Indirect Process Accountabilities

• Support the preparation of the annual budget and management reporting requirements.
• Safeguard company assets by maintaining and enforcing financial controls and policies.
• Provide labour and financial analysis to support business decision-making.
• Recommend improvements to payroll reporting, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Advise the Manager on opportunities to optimize resources and improve payroll operations.
• Remain reasonably available during off-hours for urgent payroll-related support (as needed).

 Education and Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification from the National Payroll Institute required.
• Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) certification is considered an asset.
• CHRP or CHRL Designation with the HRPA is considered an asset
• Additional certifications in group benefits (GBA) or HRIS systems are beneficial.
• 5-8 years of progressive experience in payroll administration, preferably in a large unionized environment.
• Proven experience with full-cycle payroll processing across multiple provinces and pay groups (unionized, non-union, salaried, hourly, etc.).
• Experience with year-end payroll activities including T4s, T2200s, PIER reviews, and CRA submissions.
• Hands-on experience with payroll audits, benefits reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Experience working with HR, Finance, and IT teams to support payroll system integration and process

Technical and Analytical Competencies

• Proficient in payroll systems such as SAP, UKG, or similar enterprise platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data modeling).
• Strong understanding of Canadian payroll legislation and compliance requirements (ESA, CPP, EI, WSIB, EHT) and US Payroll regulations.
• Skilled in preparing and analyzing:
• Payroll variance reports
• Labour cost summaries
• General ledger reconciliations
• Journal entries and financial statements
• Experience with data validation, system integration, and reporting automation.
• Ability to conduct payroll audits, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Capable of supporting budget preparation, quarterly reviews, and annual audits with data-driven insights.

Core Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time management abilities.
• High level of confidentiality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate across departments.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

This posting is for an existing salaried union (2724) vacancy that is located on-site in Sault Ste. Marie.

The monthly salary range for this position is $7,344.34 - $9,180.43, commensurate with education and experience. In addition to a competitive salary, Algoma Steel offers a profit sharing plan, a comprehensive benefits package, and a defined contribution pension plan.

If you meet the qualifications for this position and are committed to a challenging career with a dynamic company in a community that offers a superior quality of life, we encourage you to apply by 09/04/2026.

To learn more about our company, please visit www.algoma.com.

Algoma Steel is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accommodation is available for applicants with a disability upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.