Market Type (EM)

Summary

Senior Specialist Benefits

Position SummaryThe Sr. Benefits Specialist is accountable for performing the administrative functions for the Company's benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and disability programs in compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and applicable Federal and/or State employment laws in the U.S. The role will also support the benefit programs in Canada.

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Position Summary The Sr. Benefits Specialist is accountable for performing the administrative functions for the Company's benefits programs, including health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and disability programs in compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and applicable Federal and/or State employment laws in the U.S. The role will also support the benefit programs in Canada.

Job Duty

Benefit Plan Administration

• The senior benefits specialist collaborates with and provides internal subject matter expertise and support to Human Resources (HR) and is one of the primary contacts for external vendors regarding benefit data.• Main contact for the Benefits Specialist team questions and support.• Understands the HRIS system processes and functionality to support the benefits team.• Maintains a higher level of understanding of the Company's benefit plans and regulatory benefit requirements.• Familiar with vendor contracts, SPDs, and compliance reporting.• Manages the internal ticketing system distribution and provides support and resolution for complex employee issues.• Assistance to employees and/or dependents in resolving escalated benefit issues or corrections to benefit plans or enrollment. • Audit and analyze employee benefit changes or updates in the HRIS/payroll system and with third-party vendors. • Audit arrears in the HRIS system and work with the payroll or systems team to update them.• Assist with the coordination of annual Open Enrollment, including benefits system setup, communications, data audits, and data feeds to vendors.• Participates in testing the HRIS system during implementations and preparation for open enrollment.• Understand carrier and third-party vendor file interfaces and participate in identifying issues and collaborating with the HRIS team on solutions. • Review and approve benefit elections and life events in the benefits system as needed.• Supports business with training and education of benefit programs.• Train and mentor Benefits Specialists.• Delegate tasks when appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports

Indirect Reports

- May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

- Travel and Driving are not essential duties or functions of this job 

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Preferred): Associate's Degree or equivalent job-related work experience

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Human Resources Management or Business Administration

- 3-5 years of experience administering health and welfare benefit programs

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

- Working knowledge of ERISA, DOL, IRS, COBRA, HIPAA, PPACA- Solid knowledge of fundamental issues surrounding health and welfare and savings (401(k)) programs - Exceptional attention to detail and time management- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, self-directed, results oriented, team-based environment- Demonstrates empathy for personal circumstances of associates, while remaining objective- Interpersonal savvy and ability to develop peer relationships - Ability to plan by incorporating good problem-solving skills and prioritizing to obtain results- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written; ability to explain programs/policies in a way that is understood by others- Strong analytical, financial skills, and problem-solving skills- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite – excel spreadsheets, word processing, presentation development- Oracle, PeopleSoft, ADP or other HR system experience required- Advanced excel skills - Strong time management skills- Project and team management skills and experience preferred

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66% each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information Regarding ASM Job Duties and Job Descriptions:

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

Important Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.