Senior Payroll & Benefits Manager

Lush Handmade Cosmetics • Vancouver, Canada • 2d ago

The Senior Payroll & Benefits Manager’s primary focus is overall management and leadership of the Lush North America payroll and benefits function. You will also play an essential role in growing talent by leading the structuring and planning for all aspects of payroll and benefits administration. You will also partner with business operations to ensure that the team structure meets changing business needs. This role will identify challenges and opportunities and create step plans to resolve, utilizing outside expertise when necessary. You will ensure Lush’s payroll and benefits programs best meet our staff and business needs as well as being best in class. We are looking for a dynamic individual to evolve and continuously improve the current structure and processes. You will be curious about opportunities, listen actively and be able to effectively lead the team through analysis and execution of improvement initiatives. You will be real with giving and receiving feedback and support. Lush thrives with people that can adapt and evolve to the needs of our business. You have a passion for bringing value, leading change and having an impact on the organizations you work with. Our Lush staff live with purpose, finding their personal connection with the values of our business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. Reporting to the Assistant Controller, your core RESPONSIBILITIES will include: Team Leadership: Manage and oversee the day to day activities of Lush’s payroll & benefits functions Continuously aim to enhance efficiency, improve delivery and lead team in a customer centric manner by evaluating current processes and procedures and leading change on the team Facilitate and coordinate communication throughout the team and work collaboratively with all internal business partners Mentor and develop staff to meet their full potential and the goals of the team Provide leadership to the payroll and benefits team by assigning and delegating tasks, administrative responsibilities, and prioritizing projects, as well as reviewing their work Support team development by providing regular feedback with a focus on continual improvement and delegate leadership responsibilities to Payroll and Benefits Supervisors Provide input in the hiring, training, and development of Payroll Administrators, Benefits Administrators and Seasonal support staff Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal, state and local requirements, advising management when changes are necessary Comply with all laws applicable to payroll, including: Federal, State, and Local tax laws, garnishments and wage assignments; and laws issued by the Department of Labor such as FLSA and FMLA. Interpret, apply and maintain knowledge of Canadian regulations, laws and other requirements guiding the payroll execution including Employment Standards Acts (ESAs) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations Coordinate the completion of quarterly and year-end audit and tax deliverables Lead the year-end payroll process. Process year-end W2s, T4s, RL1 and other reporting and reconciliations to ensure tax forms are issued accurately and deadlines are met Prepare accurate and timely filings and reporting across 8 Canadian Provinces, 43 States, 20 Localities and other third parties Review quarterly and annual payroll tax filings; ensure all local statutory payroll and fringe benefit reporting requirements are met Respond to tax notices, wage orders, and governmental correspondences Operational Excellence: Accurate and timely payment of compensation and benefits to employees and source deductions and benefits to third parties Communicate with leaders, employees, colleagues and service providers in a professional manner Implement controls to ensure the accuracy of payroll processing in a timely fashion Process US and CA payroll including changes in payroll data. Review the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, and investigate anomalies Support the oversight of Lush’s benefits plan administration including input into benefit strategy recommendations/costs/process improvements/changes Support the Benefits & Wellness Program Manager in the annual planning and benefits evolution process Mentor the benefits team to ensure operational excellence, effective staff communication/training, stakeholder engagement/buy-in, compliance and reporting Review that new pay codes set up during the year are properly mapped to W-2 / T4; ensure employer paid benefits are reported on W-2 / T4 and RL1 Reconcile vacation and sick balances after each payroll. Investigate discrepancies and prepare adjusting entries as needed. Balance vacation at the end of the year and roll over vacation balances into a new year Liaise with external auditors for audit testing as required Recommend, design, and implement automation of routine tasks and reporting to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness Set up and oversee reporting configuration and data feed to internal and external departments Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships to enhance support for troubleshooting and recommend improvements to business processes, provide training and assistance to staff You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS: Required: 7+ years of proven experience in a high volume, North American payroll and benefits management role Excellent knowledge of legal and regulatory compliance and procedures, including labour laws, employment standards, and statutory remittances across all provinces of Canada and majority of States and Localities of USA Proven experience in a Retail (or similar) seasonally driven environment Successful completion of Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) or Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification Demonstrated ability to drive success and lead cultural change within a large, complex, multi-site organization Customer centric mindset with outstanding ability to obtain stakeholder buy-in Strong leadership skills with a commitment to team building and proven ability to coach, develop and motivate team members Strong analytical problem-solving skills, attention to detail and multi-tasking skills Experience with ADP or other HR Information Systems Experience with financial statements and payroll tax audits, income tax forms, benefits administration, employee expenses and payroll accruals Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through all levels of organization in a customer centric manner Must be legally able to work in Canada or US Preferred: Post-Secondary education in Accounting, Business Administration or Finance Experience working in a retail or in-house environment is a plus Job Type: Regular, Full Time role Location: Successful candidate must be located in or around Vancouver, British Columbia or Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is a hybrid role, with 2 days/week in office required.

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

We’re 10% Employee Owned - all colleagues play a role in protecting our ethics, our independence , contributing ideas for the future and share in the rewards of success when the company is doing well.