Benefits Specialist

Job Description (General Summary) The Benefits Specialist position represents an opportunity for an experienced benefits professional to have a major impact on our employees and their families. Being passionate about helping others, caring about achieving high level results, providing a high level of customer service, and continuous learning are qualities required to succeed in this position. Equally important to being customer focused is having a broad but in-depth working knowledge of employer provided benefits along with employer and carrier benefit systems and processes. The Laitram Benefits Specialist is responsible for the co-administration of the organization’s health and welfare programs, voluntary benefits, defined contribution plan, and wellness program. This includes but is not limited to educating and counseling employees and dependents on our benefit offering, acting as a liaison between the organization and third-party benefits providers, conducting benefit orientations, assisting with the planning and execution of open enrollment, assisting with benefit system set-up and testing, developing benefit presentations and communications, processing carrier files and invoices, and ensuring the accuracy of all benefit records. Laitram is a vibrant, forward-thinking company built on innovation, and brings integrity and continuous improvement to its four operating divisions - Intralox, Laitram Machinery, Lapeyre Stair and Laitram Machine Shop. The Laitram Business Philosophy supports an open, self-managed environment where employees are committed to continuous improvement and valued for their ideas, teamwork and effort. Laitram offers an unparalleled opportunity for those who want to work for an established, yet consistently growing company, with opportunities for international exposure, continuous improvement, and career advancement. Laitram has been recognized for innovation and workplace excellence, including the New Orleans City Business “Best Place to Work” award. We are a family owned company where we treat others the way we would expect to be treated: with respect, honesty, and fairness. Job Responsibilities and Requirements Job Responsibilities Administers employee benefits including eligibility, elections, qualified life events and premium deductions ensuring they follow plan design. Serves as liaison to third party administrators to research and resolve employee issues. Direct contact for employee benefit questions and responds timely to all phone and email inquiries. Continually develops knowledge base of benefit FAQs. Ensures file feeds are reviewed weekly and any issues are addressed from employer to vendor portals for all employee benefit enrollments/changes. Conducts benefits orientation and assists in the planning and administering of open enrollment process and related events, such as communications and social media strategies. Ensures compliance with all benefits policies and plan documents as well as benefits related federal and state regulations such as HIPAA, COBRA, etc. Helps conduct research and analysis of industry trends, employee surveys, and workplace best practices in order to design benefits packages that are competitive. Participates in the selection , design and implementation of benefit programs and providers. Develops benefits reports and spreadsheets related to contributions and enrollments and assists with annual reporting and audits including 401(k) and flexible spending compliance testing, annual plan audit and Form 5500 filings. Coordinates and manages health and wellness events such as annual flu shots, biometric screenings, health fairs, education seminars, etc. Act as back-up for the Leave Administrator to manage leave of absence and disability programs Administers global life insurance policy and Canadian medical, dental, and vision policy. Ensures timely processing of National Medical Support Notices. Prepares miscellaneous employee benefit letters. Requirements Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferably in Human Resources Minimum 7 years’ experience selecting, implementing, and administering health and welfare plans and programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness, disability, life, voluntary benefits and 401(k) Experience managing employee leave cases including, FMLA, STD, ADA, Military, etc Knowledge of benefit regulations such as HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA and COBRA Proficient with Microsoft Office including utilization of v-lookups, pivot tables, etc. in Excel Proficient with human resource and benefit systems: Oracle, ADP, Kronos a plus Ability to learn new technologies and possess the technical aptitude required to understand flow of data Demonstrated ability to work under strict time constraints and to maintain confidentiality Skilled in project coordination/management including organization, prioritization, and attention to detail Extended work hours may be required as dictated by business needs and occasional travel to multiple facilities This position is based in the Greater New Orleans area and is NOT eligible for Sponsorship! 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