Leave & Benefits Specialist

Leave & Benefits SpecialistThe Leave & Benefits Specialist is responsible for processing and supporting benefit enrollments, changes and employee requests and education, as well as responsible for tracking all leave of absence cases. This role also acts as a backup to the payroll lead. This role ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws, provides exemplary customer service, and supports associates, executives, and HR business partners.Benefits Administration – 45% Administer daily employee benefits operations, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, and terminations. Process and audit benefit enrollments to ensure accurate and timely participation in benefit plans. Verify employee enrollment status with insurance carriers and troubleshoot discrepancies to ensure employees are active and receiving coverage as expected. Conduct regular carrier eligibility audits to reconcile enrollment data between the HRIS/benefits administration system and carrier portals. Ensure the timely transmission of eligibility files to insurance carriers and vendors, resolving file errors and enrollment issues. Perform routine audits of benefit deductions and coordinate with Payroll to ensure accurate employee and employer contributions. Assist with vendor implementation projects, benefit plan changes, and system enhancements to improve operational efficiency. Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures for benefits administration process. Responsible to participate in and deliver new hire benefit orientation presentation to new employees to support understanding and encouragement to take advantage of our benefits package. Reviews and ensures COBRA and other post-employment benefits are processed. Ensures 401(k) employee enrollments and changes are processed. Ensures all new hire and benefit programs comply with federal and state regulations. Provides support to employees enterprise-wide to answer questions and assist in issue resolution related to benefits. Provides excellent customer service. Participates in employee information sessions, workshops, company screening programs, and educational presentations for employees to educate and offer opportunities for our benefit programs. May require shifting hours at times to support multi-plant, multi-shift operations. Completes HCM system tasks and workflows actions, reviews and prepares reports. Ensures accuracy and compliance. Ability to engage at all levels in the organization and available to support 24/7, multi-plant, multi-state operation.Leave of Absence Administration – 45% Serve as a day-to-day subject matter expert for leave and workers' compensation programs and accommodation requests. Interprets and administers leave programs and policies in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, USERRA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, etc.). Administers all aspects of leave programs in partnership with Manager HR Benefits and Compliance, including case management and tracking and program compliance. Supports Manager HR Benefits & Compliance to conduct investigations into reported claims. Works closely with the Manager, HR Benefits & Compliance and 3rd party leave administration vendor who approves or denies leave cases based on relevant medical or other information. Coordinates, organizes, and retains all medical information, in collaboration as necessary with our 3rd party leave administration vendor, ensuring HIPAA, Employee Privacy and retention guidelines are followed. Maintains communication with employees prior to and while on leave to facilitate a smooth and timely return to work. Communicates to employees in advance of their leave their responsibilities regarding continuation of benefit payments, makes arrangements for collection of monthly payments in advance, and collaborates with payroll. Updates HCM in a timely fashion to change Active and Leave status to ensure timely coordination with payroll. Supports Manager HR Benefits & Compliance to advise managers on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers' compensation, and short-term and long-term benefits. Helps to coordinate the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended leave.Payroll & Compliance Support – 10% Acts as back-up to payroll lead/specialist to process payroll when coverage is required and supports end of year processes. Partners with payroll specialist to reconcile monthly benefits invoices and reconcile payroll and benefits owed by the employee related to leaves of absence. Responsible for leading the NEO I9 process in partnership with the Employee Experience team and HRBPs enterprise wide. Supports compliance requirements related to documentation, employee notices, and reporting.What You Will Need To Be Successful Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from four-year College or university preferred. Certificates and Licenses: SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred Three (3) years of experience in Human Resources directly supporting leave administration and benefits administration. Strong knowledge of legal requirements within a multi-state operation related to leave and benefits. Manufacturing, production, or related (multiple shifts and locations) highly desired.