Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Director, Health & Benefits to join our team in
Hanover, PA. This role will help shape the benefits experience for employees across multiple states-balancing innovation, affordability, compliance, and a great employee experience. In this enterprise leadership role, you'll set the strategy and governance for our health and welfare programs-medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, life, voluntary benefits, and wellness-ensuring they stay competitive, compliant, scalable, and financially sustainable.
You'll operate above day-to-day administration, partnering closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and Audit to make data-backed recommendations on cost, risk, and program performance-and to translate complex insights into clear executive decisions.
What you'll do- Set and evolve the multi-year health & welfare strategy aligned to workforce needs, business priorities, and financial goals.
- Own plan design across medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, life, voluntary benefits, and wellness; evaluate new programs and point solutions.
- Lead benefits financials and forecasting (trend analysis, annual budget, multi-year projections) and drive cost-containment initiatives.
- Partner with Finance on self-insured plan performance, stop-loss strategy/recoveries, and premium funding decisions.
- Use claims, utilization, and vendor performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and executive-ready recommendations.
- Ensure enterprise governance and compliance across ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA/state leave, and ADA; steward plan documents, SPDs, notices, and audits in partnership with Legal.
- Lead vendor governance end-to-end, including RFPs, selection, contracting, renewals, and performance management.
- Build a scalable benefits operating model: lead and develop the team, and oversee communications and open enrollment governance.
What you'll bringEducation- Bachelor's degree required (Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field); advanced degree preferred.
Experience- 10+ years of progressive benefits or total rewards leadership, including enterprise strategy and governance.
- Hands-on experience with self-insured medical plans, stop-loss programs, and multi-year cost forecasting/budgeting.
- Proven ability to lead vendor strategy (RFPs, selection, contracting, and performance management) and drive outcomes through strong negotiation.
- Experience leading benefits compliance and risk oversight (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) in a multi-state environment.
- Public company experience is a plus.
Skills & strengths- Deep expertise in benefits strategy, plan design, financial modeling, and vendor governance.
- Executive-level communication and presence; able to translate complex data into clear insights and recommendations.
- Strong analytical capability, including interpreting claims/utilization data and using reporting tools to monitor trends and performance.
- Proven people leadership and change management; ability to build scalable operating models and governance routines.
- High integrity and discretion with sensitive employee, financial, and health information; strong judgment and risk orientation.
External Recruitment Process - Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
- Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
- Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.
