Job Title

Benefits Specialist The benefits specialist is responsible for assisting with the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and 401(k) plan. Responsibilities: Administers the company benefit software, ensuring its functionality and accurate feeds, verifying the accuracy of benefit enrollments, preparing reports, setting up open enrollment, etc. Coordinates the open enrollment process, setting up the system, preparing and organizing the live and recorded meetings, preparing communications, and processing the changes. Assists with annual benefit renewal negotiations, review of costs, implementation of changes, etc. Assists with new-hire orientations, delivering the benefit information. Communicates/distributes benefit materials, validates eligibility, audits benefit systems and reports for accuracy. Enrolls employees with carriers and process life status changes. Manages the ACA, 5500s, and other benefit compliance reporting, ensuring compliance throughout the year. Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries. Manages and processes the short-term wage continuation benefits and assists with US leaves of absences. Manages the 401K audit, working with the outside audit firm and coordinating internal reporting. Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment. Reviews plan documents for accuracy. Administers ancillary benefits that may be offered. Prepares and provides necessary reports for allocation/billing charges. Other duties as assigned, or apparent. Skills and abilities: Must have extensive knowledge of employee benefits and applicable laws. Must have excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills. Must be capable of multi-tasking and working both as a team and independently. Must be well organized and have a strong attention to detail. Must have the ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate courtesy, tact, and confidentiality when dealing with customers (internal and external). Must be able to communicate with people in various positions and levels within the company. Must have strong interpersonal and coaching skills. Must demonstrate a high level of professionalism and confidentiality. Attendance is an essential function of the position. Must be able to travel to other US plant locations, with some overnights about 5% (the majority of this travel occurs during open enrollment). Must be able to read, write, and speak English. Education and experience: Must have an AA/AS degree in HR or related field with 2+ years' experience in HR or benefits administration, or a combination of education and experience. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office; use of benefit software a plus. Physical requirements and working conditions: Contacts: Internal Continuously (67 - 100%) External Frequently (34-66%) Regularly: Communicates via phone, email, in person, via video Required to sit, perform keyboard work, for prolonged periods of time Operates a computer and other office equipment such as a copy machine and printer. Walk throughout the facility to coordinate events and communicate with employees. Frequently: Talk and hear to coordinate day-to-day phone and in person transactions Occasionally: Lift and/or move up to 20-40 pounds. Travel across the US to support open enrollment or other benefit communications. Standard office environment. The noise level is usually moderate, due to office equipment and residual noise from the manufacturing floor.