Total Rewards Manager || Benefits + Compensation Ownership || St. Louis, MO

What if you could walk into a company where the compensation structure exists but no one owns it yet? Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, a century-old industrial manufacturer and one of the largest lime and calcium products producers in the Americas. With 1,000+ employees across roughly 10 US production sites, this is a company that has been growing, investing in its HR function, and building the infrastructure to match its operational scale. Recognized nationally as one of Americas Greatest Workplaces, they are known for a highly collaborative culture, a serious commitment to safety and sustainability, and a benefits package that employees consistently describe as exceptional.

Compensation has historically been distributed across the VP of HR, the HR Director, and a senior HRBP. You will be the first person to truly own both sides, report directly to the VP of HR, and shape what this function looks like for years to come.

You will report directly to the VP of Human Resources and manage two direct reports: an HR Assistant based at the St. Louis corporate office and a Benefits Administrator stationed at the companys largest production site (approximately 650 employees). The salary structure already exists. Lead all benefits programs end to end: health, dental, vision, 401(k), wellness, leave administration, and COBRA/FMLA compliance
- Own open enrollment from planning through execution, including travel to production sites during October and November
- Take ownership of the existing salary structure and compensation program, currently distributed across multiple HR leaders
- Manage job architecture, merit cycles, annual incentive administration, and market benchmarking (ADP is the HRIS)
- Analyze program utilization data and market benchmarks to make evidence-based recommendations to the VP of HR
- Lead employee communications and education on total rewards programs across a multi-site, manufacturing workforce
- Support HR due diligence on company acquisitions as needed

This role was built for someone who is genuinely passionate about both sides of Total Rewards, not someone looking to delegate immediately or use only half their skill set. The VP of HR described exactly who shes looking for: someone with "fire under the belly" paired with the warmth and approachability that plant employees need when they walk in with a benefits question.

The comp function is being centralized for the first time, which means youll be building while running. Youll need to be comfortable owning a salary structure that has had multiple stakeholders and creating structure where there was shared ownership. Weekly travel to the companys largest production site (about an hour away) is expected. Open enrollment in October and November involves travel across the plant network. If you want to stay at headquarters and delegate from day one, this isnt the right fit.

:
- Documented open enrollment ownership in a prior role
- Bachelors degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
- Strong analytical skills and advanced Excel proficiency
- ADP or comparable HRIS experience

:
- Experience in manufacturing, mining, chemical, or another 24/7 industrial environment
- Union exposure
- 10% annual target bonus (real target, not a stretch goal)
: Lump-sum sign-on bonus available for relocation candidates
: Monday and Friday WFH, Tuesday through Thursday on-site in St. Comprehensive health, dental, vision, 401(k), and wellness programs; Louis, MO corporate headquarters

Apply via LinkedIn and well reach out to schedule a conversation. Confidential search; your application is fully private.

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