Payroll Specialist

About us

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

With sales of around €5.0 billion in the 2024 financial year, the company is one of the world's leading providers. The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Giraffe Foods , part of the Symrise family of businesses, is the industry leader in custom, private label manufacturing of sauces, dips, salad dressings and drink concentrates. We are culinary-focused and customer-driven. We anticipate and respond to the ever-changing industry demands addressing on-trend dietary needs with world-class product development and customer service. Our commitment to our employees and to contributing to the food community in North America has strengthened over our twenty years of growth and expansion.

Our products can be found under Private Label in local and national groceries, multi-unit restaurant operations, and other food manufacturers across the US and Canada. We supply a vast range of chef-created sauces and dressings for meal kits, frozen meals, restaurant entrees and salads and salad kits. Though you may not know Giraffe Foods yet, you certainly know our customers and have most likely already enjoyed some of our delicious products without realizing it.

Proud to be chosen as Canada’s Great Place to Work, Giraffe Foods boasts a strong leadership team and enjoys a mutually beneficial partnership with our global parent company Symrise, headquartered in Germany.

Symrise – always inspiring more…

Your role

The Payroll Specialist and HR Administrator - Bilingual is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of end-to-end payroll for employees in Ontario and Quebec. This role ensures compliance with federal and provincial legislation, including CRA and Revenu Québec requirements, while managing bi-weekly payroll processing, reporting, and reconciliations. The Payroll Specialist is responsible for maintaining data integrity, resolving payroll inquiries, and supporting employees in both English and French. This position also coordinates various HR administrative activities within the organization. These include administering the Group Benefit Health Plan and Retirement Plan, coordinating recruitment activities, onboarding, supporting employee events, administering access card system and other HR operations functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of bi-weekly payroll processing of salaried and hourly employees including calculating retroactive payments, salary continuance, pension and benefit adjustments, garnishments and support payments etc. for employees in Ontario and Quebec.

• Gather and validate employee data including hours worked, new hires, wage rates, and benefit information
• Accurately calculate earnings including overtime, bonuses, and applicable deductions using payroll systems
• Ensure compliance with all applicable payroll legislation, including CRA and Revenu Québec requirements
• Process statutory deductions, employee benefits, and payroll remittances
• Prepare and execute payroll payments through electronic systems, including direct deposits and pay statements
• Maintain and update payroll records including compensation, benefits, and employee information
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, including payroll registers and general ledger entries
• Support month-end and year-end activities, including T4 and RL-1 preparation and filings
• Receive and validate required approvals for payroll-related payments and adjustments
• Respond to employee and management inquiries related to payroll, deductions, and benefits
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and reports
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies
• Preparing, reviewing and submitting timesheets of temporary agency employees on a weekly basis. Reviewing and approving temp agency invoices.
• Handling full cycle recruitment for select positions including creating job postings, screening applicants, phone and in-person interviews and preparing employment contracts.
• Administer group benefits and group retirement savings plan, including enrolments, changes, and terminations. Answer all employee questions regarding both plans.
• Processing of employment verification letters
• Occasionally assisting in the management of WSIB claims reporting and return to work plans
• Coordinating Company social events as required
• Performing other duties as assigned by Manager

About you

• Bilingual in English and French (spoken and written) is required
• University or college diploma or degree in Accounting, Payroll or Human Resources fields
• PCP designation is highly preferred
• 1–2 years of experience processing payroll in a multi-provincial environment, Ontario and Quebec considered an asset
• Experience in WSIB claims management and Health & Safety
• Experience with Dayforce or similar payroll systems is an asset
• Knowledge of payroll legislation, including CRA and Revenu Québec requirements
• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong communication skills with the ability to respond to employee inquiries effectively
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to adapt to and quickly learn new systems and processes
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and emai

Our offer

We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Giraffe Foods Inc., part of the Symrise family of companies, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, pregnancy, age, disability/handicap, record of offences, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require accommodation measures during any aspect of the recruitment process, we will work with you to address your needs. Information related to accommodation measures will be treated as confidential.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The expected annual salary range for this position is CAD 65000.00 – CAD 75000.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.