Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely administration of the company’s Health & Welfare and 401(k) retirement plans in US and Puerto Rico, supporting management and guidance to all Ferrero employees. This role will help ensure systems integrations between payroll and third-party administrators are working optimally and lead critical projects achieving successful outcomes including but not limited to benefit arears, annual compliance reporting – including ACA and audit - as well as ongoing troubleshooting in support of UKG systems issues and vendor edit errors.  

•    Lead accurate administration of all aspects of H&W ensuring successful employee benefits enrollments, projects (benefit arrears) ad hoc research, claim summary dissemination (stop loss insurance) and funding for all plans (401(k) plan, Medical, HSA, etc.) 
•    Provide feedback and insight as needed regarding benefit deduction issues across medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, health and flexible spending accounts, COBRA (including subsidies), Senior Management Benefits perqs and employee voluntary benefits
•    Ensure troubleshooting for all benefit vendor edit errors and make recommendations for associated corrections and/or reporting on a weekly basis.
•    Administer 401(k) retirement plans, overseeing weekly and bi-weekly funding between payroll and the 401(k) vendors in accordance with plan rules.  Responsible for  identifying / correcting issues that could result in non-compliance or funding errors
•    Create SOPs for all benefit funding and or benefit processes in support of financial accuracy, compliance and an optimal employee experience
•    Deliver ad-hoc and cyclical reporting related to benefit plan administration, audits and plan filings with insights and follow-up as needed, or requested
•    Support installation of approved changes to existing plans by testing systems and data flow for accuracy and managing input of certain data and benefit content into the appropriate vendor platforms (UKG; WEX, etc.)
•    Support systems and plan changes needed in relation to company bargaining agreement (CBA) proposals for employee retirement benefits and health and welfare plans 
•    Handle employee inquiries to ensure quick, equitable, courteous resolution, maintaining contact in person, and by phone or e-mail
•    Conduct new hire orientation
•    Manage the IT component of benefits (interfaces, EDI, payroll and systems setup) and make recommendations for automation, enhanced administration and streamlining
•    Track record for successfully developing, communicating and managing project plans in support of benefits projects and initiatives
•    Ability to successfully juggle multiple priorities and demonstrate flexibility in changing priorities as needed to meet deadlines and achieve goals

•    5+ years of benefits administration experience
•    Payroll experience a plus
•    Prior experience interacting with third-party benefit administrators 
•    and payroll departments
•    Knowledge of health and welfare & 401(k) plans  
•    Experience with Puerto Rico and Canada benefits, a plus
•    Experience with UKG Payroll/Benefits Administration Systems, preferred
•    Bachelor’s Degree
•    Familiarity with IRS regulations governing 401(k) Plans
•    Understanding of ERISA rules and regulations governing Health and Welfare Plans
•    Analytical capability, strong excel skills and the ability to run reports, troubleshoot and execute data comparisons in support of effective benefits administration
•    Business Acumen and Financial skills (budgeting, cost analysis)
•    Effective communication skills
•    Ability to develop benefits content and deliver benefits presentations on a variety of benefits topics
•    HR Systems workflow knowledge
•    Ethical Practice 
•    Demonstrates Strong Customer service 

The base salary range for this position is $74,000 - $100,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time. 

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Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

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