Payroll Lead

Job Title: Payroll Lead
Location: Kitchener, Ontario (Onsite)
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: Manufacturing

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Lead to manage and oversee the end-to-end payroll process for our dynamic manufacturing facility in Kitchener, Ontario. This onsite role is critical in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payroll operations for both hourly and salaried employees.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience using Ceridian Dayforce, a deep understanding of Canadian payroll legislation, and a collaborative mindset to partner with HR, Finance, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead full-cycle payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees across multiple departments within a unionized and non-unionized manufacturing environment.

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of biweekly payroll, including new hires, terminations, promotions, bonuses, shift differentials, and overtime.

• Maintain and audit employee data in Ceridian Dayforce, ensuring data integrity and compliance with company policies and legislative requirements.

• Oversee year-end processes including T4 preparation, ROEs, and reconciliations.

• Manage payroll-related audits, reports, and reconciliations; collaborate with Finance and HR on monthly close activities.

• Serve as the subject matter expert and primary liaison with Ceridian for system issues, updates, and optimization.

• Ensure adherence to all relevant federal and provincial employment standards, tax legislation, and collective agreements.

• Support internal projects related to payroll process improvements, system upgrades, or policy development.

• Train and support junior payroll staff or cross-functional team members as needed.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Strong hands-on experience with Ceridian Dayforce is required.

• PCP Certification (through NPI) is strongly preferred.

• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment, with exposure to unionized payroll, is a strong asset.

• Solid understanding of multi-province payroll, tax withholdings, and government reporting requirements.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and report generation tools.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• A supportive and collaborative team environment

• Opportunities to lead process improvements and grow professionally

• Onsite role with regular hours and predictable schedule