Payroll & Benefits Specialist

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will be responsible for administering payroll and benefits programs for employees in both the United States and Canada. This role requires a strong understanding of regional compliance, excellent organizational skills, and a passion for supporting employee well-being.

As payroll and benefits specialist for the US and Canada, you will be based in Minneapolis, reporting directly to the Managing Director of the region.

Payroll Administration

• Process bi-weekly payroll for US and Canadian employees, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local regulations
• Collaborate with Finance to reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies
• Manage year-end tax reporting (W-2s, T4s, etc.)

Benefits Administration

• Manage benefit programs such as 401k, medical, dental, vision, life, voluntary life, and flexible spending plans
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries
• Coordinate open enrollment processes and communicate benefit changes
• Liaise with benefits providers to resolve issues and ensure smooth service delivery

Compliance & Reporting

• Stay current on labor laws and payroll regulations in both countries
• Prepare and submit required government filings and reports
• Support audits and ensure data integrity across HRIS and payroll systems

Employee Support

• Provide guidance to employees on payroll and benefits-related matters
• Educate staff on available benefits and assist with enrollment and claims
• Foster a culture of transparency and trust through responsive service

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in payroll, compensation and benefits - experience required in both the US and Canadian context
• Bachelor or associates degree in HR or business administration
• Strong knowledge of ADP, UKG, or similar payroll systems and excellent logic and analytical skills
• Maintains a high degree of confidentiality and integrity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Speaks and writes fluently in English.
• Strong Excel skills: Pivot Table, V-Lookups, filters, etc
• Strong organization aptitude and attention to detail
• Solid understanding of payroll and payroll tax laws in both a Canadian and US context
• Demonstrated reliability with excellent time-management skills and works well under pressure of deadlines
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements both adopted and pending affecting employee benefit programs, including COBRA, Workers Compensation, Medicare, and Social Security requirements.

We offer an attractive salary and benefits package and as part of a global organization can offer career opportunities internationally. As Masters of Malt we want to be a great employer, focusing on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration and health and wellbeing. We live our values, putting people at the heart of what we do.

“Strive” - our ambition is to be the best maltster that's why every day we commit to challenge ourselves to achieve the highest level.

“Care” - our strength is magnificent when we care for our earth, our colleagues and our business partners. We encourage trust, respect and treat each other with respect. We believe that Diversity makes us stronger.

“Inspire” - We adopt a long-term orientation delivering sustainable performance through innovation and digitization, becoming praised Masters of Malt.

“Explore” – thinking out of the box and embracing pioneer ideas to become a source of motivation, we like challenging the status quo to develop full potential.