Benefits and Leave Manager

About the role

At Allied Beverage Group, the Benefits and Leave Manager oversees the administration and delivery of health and welfare benefits, leave programs, disability, workers’ compensation, ADA accommodations, retirement, and wellness support in a complex, self-funded environment. The role partners closely with HR leadership, Finance, Payroll, Legal, Operations, Safety, and external advisors to ensure program effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and a consistent associate experience.

Responsibilities

• Benefits Program Administration and Open Enrollment:
  • Administer health and welfare benefit programs, ensuring accurate eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and service delivery for union and non-union associates.
  • Process and monitor enrollments, terminations, transfers, qualifying life events, and benefit classification changes within ADP and carrier systems.
  • Review and reconcile benefit billing statements; resolve discrepancies and partner with Finance to support accurate documentation and timely payment.
  • Support the annual renewal process by gathering claims, utilization, benchmarking, and cost information and preparing analysis and recommendations for HR leadership.
  • Coordinate the end-to-end open enrollment process, including timelines, system configuration, testing, associate communications, meetings, and follow-up.
  • Implement approved benefit plan changes within ADP, COBRA, FSA, HSA, and carrier platforms and verify configurations align with plan provisions.
  • Administer the HSA program and coordinate employer contributions with Finance to ensure accurate and timely funding.
  • Maintain productive relationships with benefit advisors, carriers, and vendors; monitor service delivery and resolve or escalate issues as appropriate.
  • Conduct benefit orientations, individual consultations, and benefits-related exit support; help associates navigate Medicare, Social Security, and other external resources.
• Leave, Disability, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation Administration:
  • Manage leave programs including FMLA, applicable New Jersey leave programs, short- and long-term disability, ADA accommodations, and workers’ compensation.
  • Coordinate leave intake, eligibility review, required notices, medical certifications, recertifications, leave designations, extensions, and return-to-work documentation.
  • Maintain accurate tracking for consecutive and intermittent leave and update leave status information within ADP and other applicable systems.
  • Guide associates and managers regarding leave requirements, available benefits, responsibilities, timelines, medical restrictions, and return-to-work expectations.
  • Coordinate the ADA interactive process with associates, managers, HR leadership, and Legal to support timely and consistent evaluation of reasonable accommodations.
  • Review injury investigation reports, report workers’ compensation claims, prepare wage statements, and follow up with associates, carriers, healthcare providers, Safety, Security, and Operations.
  • Produce regular leave and workers’ compensation reports; support OSHA recordkeeping and ensure documentation is complete, current, confidential, and audit-ready.
  • Partner with Payroll to coordinate sick pay, wage replacement, disability benefits, and other payments associated with leaves of absence.
  • Coordinate Human Performance Evaluations and return-to-work restrictions; support transitions to long-term disability or external state resources when applicable.
  • Manage complex or sensitive cases and escalate material compliance, employee relations, or operational concerns to HR leadership and Legal when appropriate.
• Retirement, Wellness, and Vendor Coordination:
  • Administer the day-to-day operations of the 401(k) plan and serve as a primary contact for the recordkeeper, plan advisors, Payroll, and associates.
  • Support associates with enrollment, elections, loans, distributions, and general retirement plan questions; coordinate participant education.
  • Manage auto-enrollment and re-enrollment processes and conduct reconciliations between ADP, Payroll, and the recordkeeper to identify and resolve discrepancies.
  • Support annual retirement plan audits, required participant notices, disclosures, and fiduciary committee materials under the direction of HR leadership.
  • Coordinate wellness and EAP programs, vendor-led initiatives, education, communications, and events within approved priorities and budgets.
  • Monitor vendor responsiveness, participation, utilization, and service issues and recommend practical improvements to HR leadership.
  • Maintain clear documentation of vendor contacts, open items, decisions, and follow-up responsibilities across assigned programs.
• Compliance, Reporting, Associate Education, and Process Improvement:
  • Ensure assigned benefits, leave, retirement, wellness, and workers’ compensation processes are administered consistently with applicable laws, plan documents, and company policies.
  • Coordinate required filings, disclosures, and notices, including ERISA materials, ACA reporting support, COBRA notices, CMS and PCORI requirements, RxDC, CHIPRA, SARs, and applicable plan amendments.
  • Support ACA eligibility tracking, data review, reporting, and timely distribution of required forms in partnership with Payroll and external vendors.
  • Maintain HIPAA privacy and data-protection practices and safeguard confidential medical and benefit information in all systems and communications.
  • Maintain benefits- and leave-related procedures, forms, templates, and records and support policy updates in partnership with HR leadership and Legal.
  • Prepare documentation for audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal reviews and follow through on identified corrective actions.
  • Monitor regulatory and vendor updates, identify potential impact, and bring recommended process or policy changes to HR leadership.
  • Develop and deliver clear benefits and leave communications, presentations, and educational resources for associates and managers.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for complex benefits and leave questions, coordinating with vendors and internal partners through resolution.
  • Use reporting, feedback, recurring issues, and process reviews to improve accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and the associate experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Human Resources, Benefits, or a related field.
• Preferred: CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP, PHR, or leave administration certification.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration, including hands-on responsibility for complex leave cases and benefit program operations.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of health and welfare benefits and leave administration in a complex environment.
• Hands-on experience with self-funded plan administration, claims and utilization information, vendor coordination, and annual open enrollment.
• Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, short- and long-term disability, workers’ compensation, and applicable New Jersey leave and wage-replacement programs.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, OSHA recordkeeping, and other benefits and leave compliance requirements.
• Experience with HRIS and benefit platforms, preferably ADP, and the ability to learn and maintain multiple vendor systems.
• Ability to reconcile benefit and leave data, identify discrepancies, maintain accurate records, and prepare clear reports.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex information to associates and managers.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills when handling sensitive, complex, or time-sensitive matters.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and programs independently while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Ability to partner effectively with Finance, Payroll, Legal, Operations, Safety, vendors, carriers, and advisors.
• Customer-focused approach and commitment to providing responsive, consistent associate support.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000, depending on qualifications such as experience, education, and skillset. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K plan with company match
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance Plan