Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Job Description:  Compensation and Benefits HR Specialist
Location : 454 20th Street, Carlstadt, NJ 07072
Employment Type : Full-Time, Exempt




Compensation : $72,000-$95,000/year

Position Overview:
The Compensation & Benefits HR Specialist is responsible for designing, administering, and continuously improving the company's compensation structures and employee benefits programs. Operating in a fast-paced industrial environment with a large hourly workforce, this role ensures that pay practices are competitive, equitable, and compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Key Responsibilities :
Compensation Administration

• Process weekly payroll accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with company policies and payroll regulations.
• Generate and analyze payroll reports, including wage summaries, overtime reports, deductions, and year-end payroll data for management review and auditing purposes.

• Administer and maintain the company's compensation programs, including hourly wage scales, shift differentials, overtime structures, and salaried pay grades

• Conduct regular market pricing and salary benchmarking surveys to ensure the company remains competitive in attracting and retaining production and administrative talent

• Partner with HR team and Plant Managers to develop and recommend pay adjustments, merit increase guidelines, and incentive or bonus structures

• Evaluate new and existing positions using job analysis and grading methodologies to ensure internal pay equity

• Maintain and update compensation-related policies and procedures in accordance with FLSA, DOL, and applicable state wage and hour laws

Benefits Administration

• Administer the company's full suite of employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401(k), and workers' compensation

• Serve as the primary liaison with benefits brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators to resolve coverage issues and negotiate plan terms

• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including employee communications, system updates, and carrier coordination

• Manage qualifying life event changes, COBRA administration, and leave of absence programs including FMLA and state-mandated leave

• Monitor benefits utilization, claims trends, and plan costs, providing regular reports and recommendations to CFO and COOs

• Ensure ACA compliance, including tracking, reporting, and 1094-C/1095-C filing requirements

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all compensation and benefits programs comply with ERISA, ACA, FLSA, EEOC, and applicable state and local regulations

• Prepare and present compensation and benefits data reports to senior management, including cost analysis, turnover impact, and program effectiveness

• Support internal and external audits related to compensation practices and benefits plans

• Maintain accurate employee records in the HRIS system for all compensation and benefits data

Employee Support & Communication

• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for employees regarding pay, benefits enrollment, claims issues, and coverage questions

• Develop and deliver clear employee communications on compensation policies and benefits programs, with sensitivity to a diverse, multilingual workforce

• Conduct new hire orientations covering total compensation and benefits enrollment

• Partner with Payroll to ensure seamless integration of benefits deductions, compensation changes, and leave pay

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 4–6 years of progressive experience in compensation and/or benefits administration; manufacturing or food processing experience strongly preferred

• Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of FLSA, ERISA, ACA, FMLA, COBRA, and relevant state labor laws

Technical Skills

• Proficient Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data modeling)

• Experience with benefits administration platforms and compensation benchmarking tools

 
Comprehensive Benefits : Comprehensive insurance benefits, including medical, dental, vision, ensuring financial security and well-being for employees and their families
Time-off: Competitive time off including sick leave and site closures for selected holidays
Corporate Discounts:  Get discounts on travel, subscriptions and more!
About Us:
Wonder Meats Inc. has been family owned and operated since 1971. Since then, we’ve honed our craft to become a leading manufacturer of quality meat products. We are now on our third generation of leadership and continue to operate based on the same core values of our founder – Quality, Consistency, and Dedication. Ready to join the team? Contact us now!