Benefits Manager Irvine, CA

CHAGEE (pronounced CHAH-jee) is a modern tea house with over 6,400 locations globally. Our teas have a rich cultural heritage stretching across several thousand years. We are one of the earliest regional teahouse chains positioned as the purveyor of modern tea culture. Our mission is to refresh and reintroduce the lifestyle of tea to the world, where guests can connect in a beautiful space and enjoy premium and diverse flavors of tea. Through our stores across Malaysia, China, Singapore, and Thailand, we serve a staggering 100 million cups of tea monthly. CHAGEE is excited to expand to the US market, and this is your chance to be part of an exhilarating journey as we deliver the taste of authentic tea culture to America. Overview: Elevate your career with CHAGEE as our Benefits Manager, where you will lead the day-to-day administration of our employee benefits programs across the United States. This position requires deep expertise in both hourly and salaried employee benefits, and a strong understanding of the complexities associated with supporting a multi-state, service-oriented workforce in the restaurant or retail industry. You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure our benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with CHAGEE’s values and rapid growth goals. What you'll do: Lead the planning, implementation, and administration of all U.S. benefits programs including health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, retirement plans, wellness initiatives, and leave policies. Oversee the benefits experience for both hourly and salaried team members, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and compliance across multiple states. Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries, vendor management, and issue resolution. Partner with HRIS, payroll, and external vendors to ensure accurate and timely processing of benefits data and deductions. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, and various state-mandated leave programs. Lead open enrollment communications and logistics, including strategy, platform setup, employee education, and post-enrollment audits. Analyze plan performance and industry trends to recommend enhancements and cost-saving opportunities. Develop and deliver benefits training to managers and People Experience team colleagues to ensure consistent application of policies. Support new market entries and ensure benefit strategies align with labor trends, competitiveness, and scalability. Collaborate with finance and leadership to forecast and manage benefits-related budgets and reporting. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly evolving environment. Be prepared for duties and responsibilities to evolve, and show a willingness to step outside of your usual scope to support the company's growth. Expect opportunities for personal and professional growth as you navigate new challenges. Experience you need to be successful: 5+ years of benefits administration experience with at least 2+ years managing multi-state benefit programs in a restaurant, hospitality, or retail environment. Deep understanding of regulatory requirements including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, and state leave laws. Proven experience supporting a distributed workforce of hourly and salaried employees. Strong project management and analytical skills with a data-informed approach to program improvements. Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday). Excellent communication skills with a service-oriented mindset. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with a startup mentality. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field; CEBS, PHR/SPHR preferred. What We Offer: Competitive salary 401K with company match to secure your future Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with company contribution for individuals and dependents On-site fitness center and wellness programs Generous paid time off and sick policy Income protection including Disability, Life, and AD&D insurance EAP Program to support your wellness objectives CHAGEE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. The expected base salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000. Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on considerations including (but not limited to): relevant knowledge and experience for this position, skills, education, certifications and more. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of CHAGEE's expansion into the US market. Join us in shaping the future of premium tea culture and creating unforgettable experiences that will captivate global tea enthusiasts. Apply now and be part of something truly extraordinary! Characteristics Type of Contract Full time Salary Competitive #J-18808-Ljbffr CHAGEE USA