Director of Total Rewards

Midera Food Processing (Midera) provides food processing equipment and automation solutions for industrial protein, bakery, and snack producers, delivering total line solutions from preparation and thermal processing through packaging. With a portfolio of 30+ industry-leading brands reaching customers across six continents, Midera helps food processors produce safer, more consistent products while improving efficiency and reducing waste at scale. Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, the company employs approximately 2,800 people worldwide.

Position Summary

The Director of Total Rewards is responsible for the end-to-end ownership, execution, and governance of U.S. payroll, compensation, and employee benefits across Midera’s corporate and divisional entities.

This role is a hands-on leadership position responsible, in conjunction with other members of the management team, for developing a compensation philosophy and a benefits package that assists the organization in meeting its business objectives. Evaluates market data, industry trends, and best practices, seeking opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of the compensation and benefits program. Evaluates and selects data vendors, consultants, brokers, and advisors and negotiates contracts, seeking to balance competitiveness with cost control. Oversees annual compensation and benefits processes, including market pricing, salary reviews, incentive plan administration, open enrollment and related activities or communications. Ensures plan compliance with relevant regulatory standards and statutes. Also has responsibility for corporate payroll administration (40 employees) and support of the US Payroll system for the company (Paylocity).

Operating within a decentralized environment, this role balances direct execution at the corporate level with guidance and support to divisional teams, establishing best practices while allowing for business flexibility. This position will also play a key role in supporting system optimization and acquisitions, helping to build scalable processes and infrastructure.

This position reports to the CFO.

Responsibilities:

Compensation & Total Rewards Support

• Support the administration of corporate compensation programs, including base salary, incentive plans, and equity awards.
• Partner with the business on compensation planning, analysis, and execution, providing insights to support pay decisions and internal equity across divisions.
• Maintain and enhance compensation structures and pay practices, including job leveling, market benchmarking, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Support executive compensation activities, including participation in the annual proxy statement preparation and support for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Own and manage all U.S. employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), FSA, COBRA, and wellness programs.
• Administer benefit plans including enrollments, qualified life events, terminations, and annual open enrollment.
• Serve as the primary liaison between employees, divisions, and benefit vendors, brokers, and carriers.
• Manage vendor relationships, ensuring service levels, performance expectations, and issue resolution are met.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Audit benefit enrollments, vendor files, and billing to ensure data accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee benefit billing accuracy, identifying discrepancies and partnering with vendors to resolve issues.
• Resolve complex employee issues related to claims, eligibility, and coverage.
• Lead and support the annual benefits renewal and open enrollment process, including communication and employee education.
• Analyze benefit utilization and provide recommendations on plan design and cost optimization.
• Oversee retirement plan administration, including vendor coordination, audits, and Form 5500 compliance.
• Lead benefits integration for acquisitions, including plan implementation, payroll alignment, and employee transition support.
• Coordinate implementation of new plans, vendors, and program enhancements.
• Develop and deliver guidance and training to divisional HR teams.
• Drive continuous improvement across benefits administration processes and systems.

Payroll and Equity Plan Administration Ownership & Execution

• Own and execute corporate payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance across a multi-entity, multi-state environment.
• Administer the Midera equity plan and related reporting.
• Serve as the primary owner of Paylocity, including configuration, security roles, and ongoing optimization.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, reconciliations, year-end activities (W-2s, 1099s), and audit support.
• Partner with Finance and Internal Audit to support SOX compliance and internal controls.
• Support payroll-related aspects of acquisitions and integrations, including system alignment and process standardization.
• Develop reporting and metrics to monitor payroll accuracy, timeliness, and service levels.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Support

• Act as the subject matter expert for payroll, compensation, and benefits across corporate and divisional teams.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and external advisors on compliance, strategy, and issue resolution.
• Provide guidance, troubleshooting, and best practices to divisional teams.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and governance standards within a decentralized structure.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in payroll, benefits, and/or compensation administration.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll laws, tax regulations, and benefits compliance (ERISA, HIPAA, ACA).
• Hands-on experience with Paylocity (or similar HRIS/payroll systems), including system ownership and optimization.
• Experience supporting compensation programs and total rewards initiatives.
• Experience with equity plan administration strongly preferred.
• Experience with proxy statement preparation strongly preferred.
• Experience in a multi-entity, decentralized organization preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or industrial environments including hourly populations.
• Experience supporting M&A integrations or organizational transitions preferred.
• Certifications (CPP, CEBS, PHR/SPHR) are a plus.

Midera is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.