Payroll and Benefits Administrator

Bluewater Power Distribution Corporation is the founding member of the Bluewater Power Group of Companies, headquartered in Sarnia Ontario. A progressive local distribution company, Bluewater Power distributes power to over 35,000 customers in six Sarnia-Lambton communities. The Bluewater Power Group of Companies also includes the following independent market driven private Corporations:
Electek Power Services Inc., Bluewater Power Services Corporation, Bluewater Power Renewable Energy Inc., and Bluewater Regional Networks Inc.

The Payroll and Benefits Administrator leads the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll, benefits, pension, and time and attendance systems; maintains employee records; supports reconciliations, reporting, audits, system controls, and continuous improvement; and provides confidential guidance to employees, retirees, management, and external partners to ensure financial accuracy, operational efficiency, and a positive employee experience.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy for a permanent, full-time position.

Duties include:

• Process accurate and timely end-to-end biweekly payroll for hourly, salaried, union, and non-union employees.
• Maintain accurate employee, payroll, time and attendance, benefit, pension, leave, and return-to-work records in ADP and related systems.
• Administer employee and annuitant benefit programs, including enrolments, terminations, record changes, deductions, contributions, partner communications, and issue resolution.
• Administer pension and savings programs, including OMERS documentation and member data, the Manulife Group RRSP, contributions, pension adjustments, and remittances.
• Review and validate complex payroll calculations, including retroactive pay, overtime, taxable benefits, allowances, garnishments, incentives, settlements, and special payments.
• Reconcile payroll, monthly benefit statements, and support month-end reporting and timely remittances for pension, WSIB, and benefit premiums.
• Maintain payroll governance through documented controls, reconciliations, approvals, segregation of duties, confidentiality, and accurate records management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, tax requirements, policies, collective agreements, and health and safety standards; monitor changes and implement updates proactively.
• Manage, test, and troubleshoot payroll and time and attendance systems, including earning codes and deductions, to maintain accuracy and system integrity.
• Process Records of Employment, employment letters, and required payroll, benefit, pension, leave, and government documentation.
• Complete year-end payroll activities, including T4 and T4A statements, T4 Summary filing, EHT and WSIB reconciliations, pension adjustments, and OMERS reporting.
• Prepare scheduled and ad hoc labour, headcount, overtime, attendance, budgeting, audit, and hours-worked reports to support operational and financial decisions.
• Support internal and external payroll audit preparation and responses and assist with complex compliance issues and corrective actions.
• Provide timely, confidential guidance to employees and retirees, and clearly communicate payroll, benefit, pension, policy, process, and organizational changes.
• Identify and implement process improvements that strengthen compliance, efficiency, audit readiness, and employee service, while providing back-up support to Human Resources and Safety as needed.

Qualifications:

• College diploma in business administration, accounting, or a similar field from an accredited educational institution required.
• Canadian Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in payroll and benefit administration with union collective agreements.
• Experience in ADP – Workforce Now would be an asset.
• Strong payroll compliance and risk management orientation
• Knowledge and experience with payroll practices and procedures, benefit and pension administration, government forms and remittances.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Integrity and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage deadlines in highly regulated environments.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent judgment and discretion in managing highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Clear, concise, and strong communicator, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated trouble shooting skills and ability to problem solve issues that may arise
• Ability to work in a fast-paced…