Benefits Administrator

Description Summary The Benefits Administrator is responsible for managing Columbia Distributing's health, welfare, retirement, and leave administration. This role ensures that benefit offerings are competitive, cost-effective, legally compliant, and aligned with company values. The Benefits Administrator serves as a subject matter expert, overseeing day-to-day program administration, vendor relationships, compliance requirements, and employee escalations related to benefits and leave. Primary Responsibilities Benefits Program Oversight: Manage employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness, and 401(k), ensuring effective operations and compliance. Leave Management: Administer leave of absence programs (FMLA, WAPFML, OFLA, PLO etc.), track documentation, ensure compliance, and partner with HR Business Partners on complex leave cases. Vendor Management: Serve as the primary liaison to benefits vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators. Maintain contracts, review usage and cost data, and ensure service-level expectations are met in partnership with CFO and CPO. Employee Communication & Support: Act as a key resource for employees, resolving benefit questions, researching plan exceptions, and helping team members navigate claims or eligibility issues. Maintain company benefits communications tools and SharePoint. Open Enrollment: Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, vendor coordination, employee education sessions, and system updates. 401(k) Administration: Administer the company's 401(k) plan, coordinate annual audits, and ensure timely submission of reports and contributions. Compliance & Audits: Ensure compliance with all applicable benefit regulations (COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, ACA.). Data Accuracy & Billing: Maintain benefit data in the HRIS system and vendor portals. Audit records regularly to ensure deduction accuracy and coordinate the reconciliation and payment of monthly insurance invoices. Program Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance benefits processes, policies, and employee experience. Make recommendations based on employee feedback and market trends. Policy Support: Assist with the development and interpretation of HR and benefits policies. Support People team efforts to maintain clarity and compliance. Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate plan documents, summary plan descriptions, vendor files, and employee records in accordance with legal and internal requirements. Other Duties as Assigned: Participate in HR projects and initiatives that support Columbia Distributing's people strategy and business objectives. Key Competencies Communication & Customer Service Benefits Expertise Regulatory Knowledge & Compliance Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Data Accuracy & Analytical Skills Project and Vendor Management People Management None Work Environment This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and sit. The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday though Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Travel This position may require up to 10% travel. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience Minimum 3 years of experience administering employee benefit programs Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint) with proficiency in excel at an intermediate level including functions such as VLOOKUP, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and basic data analysis Working knowledge of relevant benefit regulations and programs (HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, OFLA, PLO, WPL , ERISA, 401(k), disability, etc.) Compensation Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific location. Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Employees are also eligible for 80 hours of vacation every year and 7-8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year (depending on location). Hired applicants may be eligible for incentives/bonuses/annual bonuses. Reports to: SR Director of HR Classification: Exempt #J-18808-Ljbffr