Employee Benefits Specialist

About the role

The Employee Benefit Specialist acts as the central point of contact for leave administration (LOA, Disability, and FMLA), entering leave data, resolving issues, and maintaining associated employee leave files. This role also assists the HR Manager and/or Supervisor with other departmental duties.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee FMLA, Disability, and personal leave tasks in accordance with company policies and federal, state, and local legal requirements.
• Enter leave and return-to-work dates in the appropriate system promptly, follow up on inconsistencies or missing documentation, and communicate with relevant personnel.
• Serve as the point of contact for employees, corporate benefits, and plant leaders, addressing questions about leaves, 401(k), or other employee welfare programs.
• Assist employees with claim resolution, electronic processes, and comprehension of benefit plan design.
• Update, research, and resolve enrollment, marital status, and dependent verification discrepancies in Workday to ensure accurate eligibility, enrollment, and deduction information for vendors and payroll.
• Partner with Corporate Benefits to resolve benefits-related issues.
• Collaborate with Safety/EHS on Workers' Compensation claims, ensuring correct data entry and documentation collection.
• Act as a liaison between carriers and employees to facilitate information exchange, documentation collection, and submission for leave approval, benefit enrollment, or dependent verification.
• Partner with Corporate Benefits on open enrollment events, new or revised programs, and special events, coordinating meetings and follow-ups to inform employees about benefit plan changes.
• Educate and notify employees about benefit plans and enrollment opportunities.
• Support the HR team on employee engagement projects.
• Identify and communicate process improvement opportunities to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency.
• Perform additional relevant duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in a human resources generalist environment; experience in leave administration with knowledge of FMLA and ADA legal requirements highly preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with Workday or similar HCM systems preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written) with internal and external customers in a professional and timely manner; multilingual skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, discretion, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Self-starter with strong initiative, a sense of urgency, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours, including holidays, weekends, and/or extended shifts as needed.

Safety Requirements

• Follow and ensure compliance with departmental and company safety policies and programs.
• Wear required protective equipment in designated areas.