Senior Manager, Benefits- Health & Welfare Programs

Work Location Type: Hybrid

Req Number 335840

About Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion. For more information, visit

Compensation

The anticipated base pay compensation range for this position is $134,100.00 – $223,500.00. This role is eligible for an incentive target of up to 20% or $, based on the achievement of individual and company performance objectives in accordance with the current terms of the incentive program which are subject to change.

Rewards and Benefits

With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

For additional information and details regarding Grainger’s benefits, please click on the link below:

Grainger Benefits

The pay range provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The range reflects the potential base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual base pay compensation will depend, in part, on factors such as geographic work location and relevant experience and skills.

The anticipated compensation range described above is subject to change and the compensation ultimately paid may be higher or lower than the range described above.

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.

Position Details

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Benefits and Executive Compensation, the Senior Manager, Benefits (Health & Welfare Programs) is responsible for leading the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of Grainger’s U.S. health and welfare benefit programs aligned with business strategy and workforce needs. The role provides subject matter leadership for medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and related benefit programs and partners with leaders, consultants, vendors and external providers to evaluate program performance, recommend changes, and support competitive, financially sustainable, compliant, and employee-centered delivery. The role leads a team of three benefits team members and oversees complex health and welfare matters requiring cross-functional coordination and judgment.

This is a hybrid position that is based onsite in Lake Forest or Chicago 2-3 days a week.

You Will

• Lead the design, implementation, administration, communication and continuous improvement of employee benefit programs, including health and welfare and voluntary benefits, to support business and workforce objectives.
• Evaluate program competitiveness, sustainability, effectiveness, affordability, and compliance. Establish strategy and leverage the claims data warehouse, vendor analytics and insights, market practices, benchmarking, program performance, employee needs, and business requirements to recommend benefit strategies and plan-design changes.
• Partner with and present to leadership and key stakeholders on annual benefit planning, vendor reviews, plan design, budgeting, and implementation activities to support informed program decisions and effective execution.
• Manage external consultant and brokerage firm relationships. Manage and hold all vendors accountable by establishing expectations, monitoring service delivery (SLAs) and program performance; includes quarterly business reviews (QBRs). Lead contract renewals, resolving escalations, and driving continuous improvement.
• Lead benefits team members and oversee end-to-end annual enrollment activities, benefit projects, operational priorities, and escalated matters to support effective delivery, appropriate controls, optimal user experience and timely resolution.
• Ensure health and welfare programs and administration comply with applicable requirements while monitoring regulatory developments and advising leadership on potential program impacts.

You Have

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required. required
• Master's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred. preferred
• 7+ years of experience in employee benefits, including benefit plan design, administration, vendor management, and health and welfare and/or retirement programs required. required
• None People leadership experience managing employees, projects, or teams within benefits, total rewards, or a related function required. required
• Knowledge of employee benefit programs and applicable regulatory requirements, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and relevant IRS requirements.
• Experience evaluating benefit plan design, program performance, market practices, vendor services, and related data to develop recommendations and support benefit decisions.
• Experience managing benefit vendors, complex projects, annual planning activities, and escalated benefit matters involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience communicating benefit strategies, program recommendations, risks, and complex information to leaders, employees, vendors, and cross-functional partners.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.