Benefits and Retirement Specialist

Job Description

Administers the company's multi-state benefit and retirement programs, including but not limited to; medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, wellness, and retirement plans.


Leadership Summary:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.


Essential Job Results :

• Administers enterprise-wide health and welfare benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, HSA/FSA, and voluntary benefits by managing open enrollment processes, coordinating vendor communications, ensuring data integrity, and delivering a positive associate experience through ongoing education and support.

• Serves as a trusted resource for associates and leaders by responding to benefits related questions, resolving escalated issues, and providing guidance on eligibility, coverage, life events, claims, leave coordination, and plan utilization.

• Ensures accurate and timely processing of benefit enrollments, qualifying life event changes, COBRA notifications, and terminations while maintaining compliance with carrier requirements, payroll deadlines, and internal policies.

• Performs regular audits and reconciliations of benefit enrollment data, payroll deductions, carrier files, and eligibility records to ensure accuracy, minimize discrepancies, and maintain compliance with company policies and federal regulations.

• Acts as a liaison for the company's retirement plans, supporting plan administration activities including audits, compliance testing, true ups, participant inquiries, vendor coordination, and annual plan reviews.

• Coordinates and distributes all required benefit and retirement plan documentation, notices, disclosures, and participant communications in accordance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.

• Leads annual compliance activities and reporting requirements, including ACA reporting, nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 preparation, retirement plan compliance activities, and other regulatory filings to ensure organizational compliance and reduce risk exposure.

• Conducts monthly and quarterly audits of payroll records, premium deductions, retirement contributions, and carrier invoices to ensure accurate associate deductions, timely remittance of payments, and proper financial reconciliation.

• Partners closely with payroll, HRIS, finance, carriers, brokers, and third party administrators to troubleshoot issues, improve processes, streamline workflows, and support continuous improvement initiatives within Total Rewards operations.

• Provides guidance to separating associates regarding continuation of benefits, COBRA, retirement distribution options, and other post-employment benefit considerations to ensure a smooth transition experience.

Johnstone Supply believes that each employee's contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, it is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) in Human Resources or related discipline; three to five years of benefit and retirement plan experience is preferred but not required.


Certificates, licenses, and Registrations: a Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) is preferred, but not required for this role.
Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of health, welfare, and retirement plans for a national employer.
• General knowledge of employment laws and regulations related to benefits, including HIPAA, ERISA, and IRS
• Ability to use and leverage the benefits modules within an HRIS, ADP, or equivalent system. Experience with ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred.

Process Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to develop and use systems for organizing and keeping track of information.
• Ability to create standardized procedures.
• Problem-solving skills: listening to, interpreting, and meeting the needs of others; diagnosing and rectifying problems.
• Ability to attend to details.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to use independent judgment in completing work.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.

Communication Skills:

• Ability to communicate information across different individuals, departments, and external parties.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to demonstrate considerable tact, empathy, and diplomacy in dealing with others.
• Ability to listen to others to identify needs or concerns.

Leadership Skills:

• Lead/Mentor - Responsible for own work and providing guidance to peers.

Live Our Company Values:

• Safety : Always prioritize safety, both at work and at home, while ensuring those who work for you work safely
• Customer Focused : Take the perspective of those we serve, anticipate their needs, and respond quickly.
• One Team: We win together by collaborating with each other, focusing on the common goal, and leveraging the strengths of the team.
• Own It: Take the initiative, act with a sense of urgency and pride, do things right the first time, and always act with integrity.
• Innovate: Embrace and create change that drives continuous improvement and customer-valued solutions