HR Generalist: Benefits, Wellness & Leave Management Specialist

About the Role The HR Generalist — Benefits, Wellness & Leave Management Specialist serves as a trusted employee resource and key functional specialist supporting benefits administration, wellness initiatives, and leave management across AKG’s NC and SD locations. This role combines day‑to‑day HR Generalist responsibilities with ownership and coordination of employee benefits programs, wellness activities, and leave administration processes to ensure positive employee experience, strong compliance practices, and consistent support across the organization. Job Type Full‑time Description The HR Generalist — Benefits, Wellness & Leave Management Specialist serves as a trusted employee resource and key functional specialist supporting benefits administration, wellness initiatives, and leave management across AKG’s NC and SD locations. This role combines day‑to‑day HR Generalist responsibilities with ownership and coordination of employee benefits programs, wellness activities, and leave administration processes to ensure positive employee experience, strong compliance practices, and consistent support across the organization. This position works closely with employees, managers, payroll, vendors, and HR leadership to provide responsive support, maintain accurate records, ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies, and support employee well‑being initiatives aligned with The AKG Way. This position reports directly to the on‑site HR Manager for day‑to‑day supervision and operational support and maintains a matrix reporting relationship with the HR Manager overseeing Benefits & Wellness for functional guidance and alignment. Key Responsibilities Administer company‑sponsored benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, voluntary, retirement, and company‑paid plans). Process billing invoices, enrollments, life events, terminations, and updates accurately and timely. Maintain benefit records in HRIS and vendor systems. Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries, issue resolution, and education. Support Open Enrollment (communications, testing, enrollments, meetings). Partner with Payroll on deductions and discrepancies. Coordinate with vendors/carriers on eligibility files, invoices, reporting, and issues. Ensure compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, Medicare Part D, and related regulations. Prepare benefits documentation and communication materials. Support benchmarking, program evaluation, and continuous improvement. Assist with 401(k) administration and audits with vendors and finance. Support implementation and coordination of wellness initiatives, campaigns, and well‑being programs across locations. Assist with communication, outreach, engagement, and education. Coordinate events (Lunch & Learns, screenings, wellness fairs, flu shots, awareness campaigns). Partner with vendors, clinic staff, carriers, and internal teams. Track participation, engagement, metrics, and feedback. Develop communications, newsletters, incentives, and resources. Promote EAP and wellness programs. Ensure compliance with HIPAA, ADA, GINA, ACA, and support initiatives that encourage engagement and preventive care. Administer FMLA, ADA accommodations, STD, LTD, personal, military, bereavement, and statutory leaves. Manage end‑to‑end leave processes (intake, documentation, tracking, communication, return‑to‑work). Partner with third‑party administrators. Maintain accurate, audit‑ready records in HRIS. Support ADA interactive process and accommodation documentation. Coordinate with Payroll on pay, deductions, and coverage during leave. Communicate timelines, requirements, and expectations clearly. Provide timely guidance on HR policies, benefits, systems, and resources. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Support employee relations and elevate issues as needed. Support engagement initiatives, recognition programs, wellness efforts, surveys, and events. Assist with feedback collection and action planning. Reinforce organizational culture. Maintain HRIS records, reporting, auditing, and data accuracy. Process employee transactions (boarding, offboarding, status changes, leave, org updates). Generate standard and ad hoc reports. Participate in HR projects (compliance, engagement, process improvements, policy updates, workflow enhancements). Document procedures and recommend efficiency improvements. Support program and system implementations. Support administration and communication of HR policies. Track compliance activities (training, leave, acknowledgments, documentation). Stay current on employment laws, HR trends, and best practices. Safety Standard At AKG, safety is a core part of The AKG Way and a shared responsibility of every employee. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace where everyone looks for one another. All employees are expected to follow company safety rules, procedures, and protocols. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by the company and must be worn in all designated areas. Tools, machinery, and equipment should always be used carefully and responsibly to protect both yourself and your co‑workers. Employees are encouraged to speak up about unsafe conditions, ask questions, and be part of the solution in helping us continuously improve workplace safety. Because safety is critical to protecting our employees and operations, violations of AKG’s safety standards and procedures are taken very seriously and will be handled as such. By working together and keeping safety at the center of what we do, we help ensure that everyone goes home safely each day. AKG Way: Teamwork, Respecting others, Accountability, and Being part of the solution Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with HR, Payroll, Benefits, Operations, vendors, and leadership to deliver seamless employee support, resolve issues, and achieve organizational goals. Respecting others: Demonstrates emotional intelligence by handling employee concerns with empathy, professionalism, and confidentiality, ensuring employees feel heard, supported, and valued. Accountability: Maintains accuracy and attention to detail in benefits administration, leave management, HRIS data, and compliance documentation while meeting deadlines and owning outcomes. Being part of the solution: Identifies and drives improvements in employee experience, communication, workflows, and HR processes; adapts to changing needs and proactively resolves challenges. Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Statement AKG North America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. AKG North America is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to employees with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable law. Employees who require accommodation to perform the essential functions of their position should contact Human Resources to discuss their needs and participate in the interactive process. Disclaimer To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description reflects the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job‑related duties as assigned to meet business needs. Why Join AKG At AKG, we believe our people are the key to our success. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on the employee experience — helping ensure our teams feel supported, informed, and valued every day. Requirements Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in Benefits Administration, Leave Management, and HR Generalist support Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA/ADAAA, STD, LTD, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, USERRA, and applicable leave and benefits regulations Experience administering employee benefits and leave programs in a multi‑site or manufacturing environment preferred Experience with HRIS platforms such as Paylocity, UKG, or similar systems preferred Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams CEBS, PHR, SHRM‑CP, or similar HR certification preferred Experience supporting multi‑site HR operations and employee programs preferred Bilingual Spanish/English skills preferred Knowledge, skills, and abilities Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the organization Ability to communicate effectively with both office and production employees in a professional, approachable, and supportive manner Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects simultaneously High level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion when handling employee information and sensitive matters Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in reporting, documentation, compliance tracking, and employee support Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment Strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset Comfortable speaking with employees individually and in group settings, including employee meetings or wellness activities Ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities and business needs Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus Physical Demands Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, and regularly move between office and manufacturing environments. Occasionally lift/carry up to 25 lbs., use office equipment and presentation tools for extended periods, and conduct group presentations or meetings. Ability to travel between locations, meetings, or external events and participate in off‑shift activities, including occasional third‑shift support (approx. 2–3 times per year). Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, machinery, forklifts, #J-18808-Ljbffr