Specialist - Leave Administration (Human Resources)

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT'S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

The Leave Administration Specialist manages all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, non-medical leave, paid parental leave, military leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, and state-specific programs. This role partners closely with Payroll and Prudential (disability carrier) to ensure accurate pay during leave and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

This role will serve as the primary point of contact for employees requesting leave or modified work schedules, ensuring they understand the requirements, documentation, and responsibilities involved. You will oversee the full FMLA process from the initial request through the employee's return to work, coordinating with Prudential and handling eligibility determinations, medical certifications, and intermittent or reduced schedule leave arrangements.

How You Will Make An Impact

Communicates with employees regarding their needs for leave and/or modified work schedules; ensures that employees are aware of their responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave


Works with Prudential to oversee the FMLA leave administration process from the employees' initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work including gathering and completing all required paperwork (as needed), initiates and prepares leave of absence response letters, determining leave eligibility (outside of Prudential processes), designating ADA leaves (as needed), requesting medical certifications (as needed), and confirming intermittent and reduced schedule leave use


Maintains communication with employees on leave to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between team members and their HRBP and managers/supervisors during leave within reason


Advises managers/supervisors and team members on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, and short-term and long-term disability benefits


Oversee the return-to-work process for employees returning from extended FMLA, workers compensation, or other leave(s). Partner with Safety team regarding work-related restrictions.

Facilitates other leave requests, which may include accommodation requests under the ADA


Administers other company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws

Prepares and/or recommends revisions to company leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations


Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices


Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files


Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws


Performs other related duties as assigned


What You Will Bring

Bachelor's degree in human resources related field required.


Five years of professional human resource administration, experience in manufacturing preferred

3+ years managing FMLA and ADA processes

Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal laws concerning leave administration

Strong critical skills, analytical skills and problem-solving abilities


Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all team members and people leaders

Authentic, effective, and professional communication style including the ability to communicate effectively in person, by email, by phone, or in writing

Excellent reading and written communication skills.

Ability to use time effectively and efficiently while managing multiple priorities


Proficiency with MS Office Suite (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint

Bilingual/fluency in Spanish Bi-lingual highly preferred?

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Total Rewards and is a in office role based in Ennis, TX or Bethlehem, PA This position will support Ennis, Texas, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Bedminster, NJ. Travel may be required to support those locations.

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.


Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company's achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.