Compensation & Benefits Manager

SUMMARY

Working closely with the Regional HR Director, this position is responsible for providing shared services support to both the commercial and manufacturing teams within the North America region. This role incorporates a variety of responsibility, including advice and support to management on all benefit and payroll matters, review and recommendation of benefit offerings, coordination/implementation of Open Enrollment, advising on benefits enrollment/questions and updating HR policies, procedures and other related documentation as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Benefit Administration

Responsible for overall administration and compliance for all North American benefit programs including, medical/dental/vision plans, LTD, STD, 401(k), wellness, etc.

• Educate and mentor all HR Associates to guide them in their communication with NA employees in relation to the employees benefit plans.  Manages communication efforts and tools for employees to be well informed of their benefits.  Also serves as primary contact for employees related to the more complex benefit issues.
• Primary contact with Benefit consultants and plan providers to ensure efficient administration of benefit plans.  Research, analyze and recommend new benefit programs for Company to remain competitive and manage costs related to benefit plans.  Implement programs providing effective communication and training to employees.
• Responsible for management of the systems and technology to support the benefit plans.

• Assists with budgeting and financial analysis of employee benefits programs. Monitors high-cost claims, targets problem claims areas.  Ensures adequate estimates, forecasts, and calculations of expenditures in benefits for budget planning and tracking.
• Manages existing disease management and wellness programs as well as analyze effectiveness of programs and research/recommend new initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with governmental regulations related to benefit programs and labor law, including ERISA, FMLA, and HIPAA.  This includes required testing and audits and SOX compliance.
• Ensure proper day to day administration of benefit changes and enrollments are processed by the payroll team.
• Ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assists employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Distributes all benefits enrollment materials and determines eligibility.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Provides necessary reports for allocation/billing charges.

Compensation / Payroll Administration

• Oversee payroll processing for all US and Canada employees
• Responsible for management of the systems and technology to support payroll. 
• Ensure consistent processes/best practices are in place for all pay codes
• Validation of information for accuracy
• Trouble shooting issues or questions that surface to determine resolution
• Oversee development and implementation of key HR related policies, procedures and processes
• Serve as payroll backup when needed

General

• Recommend new approaches, policies, and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of department and services performed
• Support with HR projects and initiatives as required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises Payroll Specialist roles.  Ensures organization’s policies and applicable laws are followed.  Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.  Must be able to demonstrate the capacity and willingness to assume increasing responsibility as business demands increase or change.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in Business related discipline or Human Resources required (Bachelor’s Degree preferred)
• 3-5 years of Payroll and Benefits experience required
• 2+ years supervisory or management experience required
• Knowledge of general payroll practices and principles required
• Experience with benefits administration required
• Global matrixed HR team experience preferred
• HR or Compensation certification strongly preferred

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits and payroll and applicable laws
• Experience with benefit and payroll platforms
• Experience with regulatory compliance with FMLA, HIPAA and other state or federal laws
• Must possess strong organizational, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills - Must demonstrate the ability to build and manage relationships with all levels of the organization
• Proven experience in an HR advisory role, building strong and beneficial working relationships with internal customers, colleagues, and service providers
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including consultation, facilitation, influencing and negotiation skills
• Proactive, self-starter with the ability to work effectively unsupervised
• Proven ability to deal with confidential information with discretion, effectiveness and a friendly/professional manner
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks at one time
• Able to exercise effective judgment, sensitivity and creativity to changing needs and situations within the business
• Common sense approach and willingness to escalate issues to the HR Director in a timely manner if unable to meet deadlines, or unsure of how to resolve a situation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook