Job Summary

The Benefits & Compensation Manager plays a critical role in delivering a competitive, compliant, and scalable total rewards strategy for a growing manufacturing organization of 900+ employees. This role is responsible for the design, administration, and continuous improvement of company-wide benefits and compensation programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, workforce needs, and market competitiveness.

This position partners closely with external vendors, internal leaders, and Office Managers, leveraging Workday (HRIS) and advanced Excel skills to deliver data-driven insights, exceptional employee experience, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Strategy & Administration

• Own the administration and ongoing optimization of all health, welfare, and retirement programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and the 401(k) plan.
• Ensure all benefit plans are administered in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, plan documents, and internal policies.
• Partner with benefits brokers, carriers, and consultants to manage plan design, renewals, pricing, and service delivery.
• Analyze monthly and quarterly claims, participation, and cost data to inform recommendations and long-term benefits strategy.
• Lead Open Enrollment end-to-end, including planning, vendor coordination, Workday configuration, employee communications, and post-enrollment audits.
• Prepare, reconcile, and approve monthly vendor invoices and ensure accurate financial controls.

Retirement & Committee Oversight

• Manage the 401(k) program, including vendor coordination, annual testing, audits, and required filings.
• Support the Benefits or Retirement Committee by preparing materials, facilitating meetings, documenting minutes, and communicating approved changes to employees.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Support compensation strategy and market analysis, including benchmarking, job evaluations, and pay structure reviews.
• Partner with HR leadership to analyze market data and internal equity to support compensation decisions in a manufacturing environment.
• Assist with annual compensation planning cycles and ad hoc pay analysis as needed.
• Maintain accurate job, compensation, and benefits data within Workday.

HRIS & Data Management

• Serve as the primary Workday resource for benefits administration, including enrollments, terminations, COBRA processing, life events, and audits.
• Ensure system integrations with vendors remain accurate and up to date.
• Produce and analyze reports to support leadership decision-making; advanced Excel skills required.

Employee Experience & Communication

• Act as a trusted resource for Office Managers and employees regarding benefits, compensation, and total rewards programs.
• Develop and deliver employee communications, including benefits guides, newsletters, intranet content, and educational events such as benefits fairs and wellness initiatives.
• Maintain all plan documentation, policies, and employee-facing materials.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required (HR, Business, Finance, or related field preferred).
• 3-5+ years of progressive experience in benefits and compensation, preferably supporting an employee population of 800+.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting compensation strategy, market pricing, and total rewards initiatives.
• Hands-on experience administering 401(k) plans and working with benefits brokers and carriers.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state benefits regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, etc.).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience working within an HRIS; Workday experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate data into insights.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High level of customer service orientation and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to change and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.