Senior Manager, Benefit Operations

Senior Manager, Benefit Operations Location: United States, New York, White Plains The role involves acting as the primary strategic and technical partner for HR-Benefits operations, working with the Empyrean team to configure HR Benefits systems, identifying and recommending business process improvements, leading the annual enrollment project, overseeing outsourced resources, and staying updated on industry trends. Key Responsibilities Act as the primary strategic and technical partner for HR- Benefits operations process owners and stakeholders, documenting business requirements, defining scope and objectives, and deploying and supporting technical solutions for the Danone Health platform and Danone Health application. Work with the Empyrean team to configure HR systems (Ceridian Dayforce, SHARE) by offering guidance and benefits expertise on building application components, integrating software, troubleshooting, resolving issues, file transmission audits and error reporting and maintaining technical documentation. Identify and recommend solutions or improvements to business processes through innovative technology or alternative uses of existing technology. Lead the planning, implementation, and coordination of the annual enrollment project, utilizing technical skills to direct stakeholders (internal and external) and resolve issues, ensuring project goals are met. Oversee outsourced resources to ensure AE project meets schedule, budget, quality standards, and Danone requirements, in accordance with contractually established terms and conditions. Healthcare and Wellbeing Vendor management and negotiation - manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and third‑party administrators; request proposals, renew plans, and negotiate terms to optimize cost and service, evaluate contracts, and participate in RFP activities, M&A due diligence, as applicable to the benefit operations function. Compliance oversight - ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, state/federal regulations, coordinate audits, disclosures, Form 5500 filings. Stay updated on industry trends and advancements through product releases, features, and best practices, and recommend enhancements aligned with organizational needs. Review file transmissions to all vendor partnerships addressing audit requirements and ensuring data quality measures are met for all programs that interface with Empyrean. Administer day‑to‑day operations of all interfaces - Subject Matter Expert for the outsourced Third‑Party Platform for Annual Enrollment and ongoing activities, Responsible for the execution of the annual enrollment process, materials, and presentations with the team, maintain knowledge of market and legislative benefits trends, and evaluate costs/benefits to the company. Review all Payroll interfaces to assigned benefit programs including TransAmerica for reliability and alignment with plan design rules and reliance Matrix for enhancements in automation and LOA processing. Strategic and innovative thinker – able to identify new automation designs to reach virtual and digital capabilities with great understanding of plan rules. Strong analytical, planning, organizing, and adaptation skills – review existing infrastructure and develop enhancements to mitigate costs in administrative processing. Review, reconcile, and approve benefit invoices for assigned programs as processed by the monthly carrier remittance through Empyrean. Offer recommendations to improve overall operational efficiency, minimizing risk, maximizing effectiveness, and ensuring cost containment. Connect organizational issues and goals to benefit plans using digital tools and resources. Collaborate with internal partners (HRIS, Payroll, Legal, Procurement, Communications and Finance teams) on the implementation, processing, budgeting, forecasting, communication, and compliance of assigned program platforms. Monitoring of assigned TPA platforms (research best practices, analyze annual review data, implement program offerings, increase engagement levels, develop communications, answer inquiries, maintain compliance). Create a framework for superior customer service for assigned benefit programs. Maintain knowledge of healthcare market and legislative benefits trends and evaluate costs/benefits to the company. Ensure programs adhere to all requirements of benefit compliance. Qualifications Bachelor's degree. 10+ years experience working with employee benefits healthcare administration. Previous knowledge of employee benefits administration process and practice. Previous knowledge of Microsoft products, excel, PowerPoint, Word. Working knowledge of the standard principles of human resources benefits management including compliance and regulations, language, principles and practices, and operating procedures. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co‑workers, administrative personnel, benefit vendors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities. The salary range for this position is $120k-172k USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance‑based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment. About Danone Life at Danone: With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., our vibrant culture and endless growth opportunities are just a couple of the reasons our employees call themselves "Proud Danoners". Learn more about Life at Danone. Our Brands: When you join us, you'll work with some of the best‑known food and beverage brands in the world, including Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STK Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch. Our Purpose: We're committed to making a positive impact on our world. Rooted in our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, we're proud to be the world's largest B Corp. Learn more about our mission. Physical Wellbeing : We pay for the majority of your medical benefits – which include medical, dental and vision – with our competitive 80%/20% cost‑sharing model. Mental Wellbeing : Danoners receive fitness discounts, unlimited flexible time off and hybrid work schedules. We also have a range of programs that support mental health and substance abuse. Financial Support : We offer a performance‑based bonus, a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs and voluntary perks. Family Care : We offer caretaker benefits, 18 weeks of parental bonding, fertility, surrogacy, adoption benefits and pet insurance. Equal Opportunity Employer Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here. #J-18808-Ljbffr Danone North America