Benefits Manager

Position Summary

The North America Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic design, administration, compliance, and management of employee benefits programs across the United States and Canada. This role oversees health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave of absence administration, vendor management, compliance activities, and employee communications to ensure the organization provides competitive and compliant benefits programs that support employee well-being and business objectives.

The North America Benefits Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, HRIS, and external vendors to deliver an exceptional employee experience while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Strategy and Program Management

• Develop, implement, and manage employee benefits programs across North America, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
• Evaluate market trends and benchmark benefit offerings to ensure competitiveness and alignment with organizational goals.
• Recommend plan design enhancements to improve employee engagement, attraction, and retention.
• Support the development and execution of total rewards and employee well-being strategies.

Health and Welfare Administration

• Manage the administration of U.S. and Canadian health and welfare benefit programs.
• Oversee plan eligibility, enrollments, life events, open enrollment activities, and employee benefit transactions.
• Ensure accurate integration between benefit vendors, HRIS, payroll, and third-party administrators.
• Monitor vendor performance and service delivery metrics to ensure compliance with service-level agreements.

Retirement Programs

• Oversee retirement plans, including 401(k), pension, RRSP, deferred compensation, and other savings programs as applicable.
• Partner with retirement plan providers, consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure proper plan administration and compliance.
• Support fiduciary governance activities, retirement committee meetings, audits, and regulatory filings.

Leave and Disability Programs

• Manage leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state and provincial leave requirements, paid family leave, and company leave policies.
• Oversee short-term disability, long-term disability, workers' compensation coordination, and leave vendor relationships.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local regulations.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS regulations, Department of Labor requirements, Canadian benefits regulations, and other applicable laws.
• Coordinate annual nondiscrimination testing, audits, government filings, and compliance reporting.
• Maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, employee communications, and regulatory notices.
• Partner with legal counsel and external consultants to address benefits compliance matters.

Vendor Management

• Lead relationships with insurance carriers, brokers, consultants, wellness providers, retirement plan vendors, and leave administrators.
• Conduct vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, renewals, and request-for-proposal (RFP) processes.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, service enhancements, and operational efficiencies.

Open Enrollment and Employee Communications

• Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution across North America.
• Develop employee communications, educational materials, and benefits training programs.
• Support employee understanding of benefits offerings through presentations, webinars, and one-on-one consultations.
• Manage escalated employee benefit inquiries and issue resolution.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Manage benefits budgets and monitor program costs and trends.
• Analyze claims experience, utilization data, and vendor performance metrics.
• Develop recommendations to improve plan performance and cost effectiveness.
• Prepare executive reporting and presentations regarding benefits program effectiveness and trends.

HRIS and Process Improvement

• Partner with HRIS and Payroll teams to ensure accurate benefits configuration and administration.
• Support benefits-related system implementations, upgrades, and integrations.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance employee experience and administrative efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressive benefits administration experience.
• 3-5 years of benefits leadership or management experience.
• Experience managing U.S. and Canadian benefits programs.
• Experience with annual benefits renewals, open enrollment, vendor management, and compliance.
• Experience with HRIS systems, preferably Workday.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian benefits regulations and administration.
• Expertise in health and welfare plans, retirement programs, disability, and leave management.
• Knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with experience managing benefits budgets.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong relationship-building and vendor management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS)
• SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP
• PHR/SPHR

Key Competencies

• Benefits Strategy & Design
• Regulatory Compliance
• Vendor & Broker Management
• Open Enrollment Leadership
• Retirement Plan Administration
• Leave & Disability Management
• Data Analytics & Financial Management
• Employee Experience Focus
• Project Management
• Process Improvement
• Business Partnership
• Executive Communication

Benefits We Offer Include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid life & disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 7 Company Paid Holidays
• 24/7 Telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program
• Optional voluntary benefits (legal, accident, identity protection)
• Eligibility on the first of the month following your hire date

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Our diverse product portfolio also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts—available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we've proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years.

We are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Fresh Del Monte and its affiliates do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We also participate in E-Verify* where applicable, to ensure employment authorization eligibility. Driven by our core values—Excellence, Care, Passion, Trust, and Creativity—we invite you to explore our career opportunities and join our FRESH team.