Sr. Specialist, Payroll - CAN

Work Location Type: Hybrid 

As a leading industrial distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom, We Keep The World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. We’re dedicated to providing value for customers, fostering an engaging culture for team members and driving strong financial results.

Our welcoming workplace enables you to learn, grow and make a difference by keeping businesses running and their people safe. As a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, we’re looking for passionate people to join our team as we continue leading the industry over our next 100 years.

The Senior Payroll Specialist is a key member of the payroll team, responsible for overseeing and executing complex payroll operations with a high degree of accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality. This role involves strategic oversight of payroll processes, continuous improvement initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure seamless payroll delivery across multiple jurisdictions.

The Senior Payroll Specialist will lead payroll processing for Canada and support global payroll operations, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and internal controls. This role serves as a subject matter expert and mentor within the payroll team, driving operational excellence and supporting organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end Canadian payroll processing and ensure timely submission to ADP, including pre- and post-payroll audits.
• Oversee off-cycle payrolls, manual payments, and complex payroll adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, including payroll balancing, audit trails, and SOX requirements.
• Manage and reconcile third-party payroll interfaces and inbound/outbound files.
• Administer wage garnishments and compensation continuation payments in accordance with legal and policy requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison with third-party vendors (e.g., ADP, Kronos), ensuring service quality and issue resolution.
• Analyze and optimize payroll processes, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency improvements.
• Maintain and update payroll documentation, policies, and procedures in alignment with best practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external auditors to support payroll audits and ensure compliance readiness.
• Provide expert-level support to internal stakeholders and employees, delivering exceptional service and guidance.
• Lead or contribute to payroll-related projects, including system upgrades, integrations, and compliance initiatives.
• Mentor junior payroll staff and provide training on payroll systems, processes, and compliance topics.

Qualifications:

• PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) and/or CPM (Certified Payroll Manager) certification required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in payroll, with a focus on Canadian payroll; global payroll experience is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in SAP, ADP, and Kronos preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation, including multi-province tax regulations; familiarity with U.S. and global payroll practices is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex payroll operations independently and with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
• High level of discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and payroll-related software.
• Bilingual in English and French is an asset.

Rewards and Benefits:
Our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet your individual needs. Check out some of the benefits available to you with Grainger (may vary based on hours worked):

• Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and up to 12 company holidays per year (dependent on home province)
• Life insurance coverage, including spousal and dependent life insurance.
• Employee Family Assistance Program to help team members with physical, emotional, mental, financial and other concerns
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan & Defined Contribution Pension Plan to help you save for your financial future
• Educational & Professional Membership Fee Assistance program
• Employee discounts, team member perks and more!

DEI Statement

We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly match this job post as you may still be the right candidate for this role or others. We aspire to create a culture where everyone is comfortable being who they are, can learn and grow to realize their full potential, and is recognized and rewarded for their impact.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so we can provide appropriate assistance.

Pre-employment background checks are required for all external candidates. Internal candidates undergo a background check when they move from a non-driving role to a driving role.