Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for assisting with the administration of all employee benefits, retirement programs, and leave administration for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Inc. Provides guidance and assistance to all company locations and employees on a variety of benefit related plans. Conducts and participates in industry and market surveys to determine company's competitive position in employee benefits. Develops, recommends, and implements employee benefits policies as approved and supervises administration of existing plans. Recommends cost control procedures to assure maximum coverage at the least possible cost to company and employee.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports overall administration of Total Rewards Plans for North America region.

• Assists HR Director by participating in surveys and studying employee usage trends offered by other organizations.
• Supports employee engagement programs to enhance the overall employee experience. Programs may include wellness, recognition, appreciation and other engagement initiatives.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements; modifies policies and plans accordingly.
• Coordinates and conducts annaul discrimination testing as required.

• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrolments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Processes and administers all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork: medical, personal, disability and FMLA.
• Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Works closely with QHSE Manager to ensure appropriate handling of worker’s compensation leaves and return to work requirements.
• Serves as a member of Hellmann’s Retirement Advisory Committee and process retirement plan deferral changes and payroll funding.
• Reconciles and verifies the calculation of the monthly premiums statements for all group insurance policies and maintains statistical data relative to premiums, claims, and costs. Resolves administrative problems with the carrier representatives.
• Collaborates with Payroll/Finance and other departments to ensure billing and payroll deductions are handled timely and accurately.
• Assures compliance with COBRA guidelines by processing benefits separations in a timely manner.

• Maintains benefit records by developing and maintaining recordkeeping systems; initiating new-hire benefits; recording changes.
• Prepares special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Maintain, update, and create the benefits section of our internal communications portal.
• Assist with Open Enrollment including communications, HRIS setup, data uploads and reports.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not supervise any direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associates degree or three to five years related experience. Other training/certification may be substituted for education. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Certified Benefits Professional or similar certification preferred.
• Budgeting process and budget oversight experience preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws relating to benefits, retirement plans, employment law.
• Must have strong interpersonal, communication, and business partnering skills and ability to influence, manage, and lead change.
• Must be detail oriented with excellent follow-through skills.
• Highest integrity in all actions, including maintaining and managing confidentiality of employee information
• Strong analytical skills, report writing, and thorough knowledge of benefit plan designs and contract language

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to a change in deadline or priority
• Possess an acute attention to detail and developed organization skills
• Leadership – demonstrates professionalism
• Customer-focused
• Organizational skills
• Adaptable / flexible to high-pressured environment
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Email, and Internet
• Advanced Excel skills such as VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, Logic formulas and graphs/charts
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English in order to present information to customers, management, and subordinates in a professional setting
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as premium rates, deductions, compensation details, etc.
• Analytical skills / problem-solving ability
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills a strong plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to stand, and walk
• Regularly required to sit for extended periods
• Regularly uses arms to reach, hands and fingers for computer and phone use
• Speaking clearly and listening for heavy phone contact
• Requires close-up and computer screen distance vision ability
• Requires occasional overnight travel

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are similar of those of an office setting with various office equipment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.