Administrator, Retirement Benefits

SUNKIST GROWERS LLC•Santa Clarita, CA

22h•$82,000 - $97,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible to administer retirement benefits programs, ensuring accurate processing of enrollments, terminations, and changes in participant status. Provides guidance and support to employees regarding retirement plans, policies, and procedures. Coordinates with internal departments and external vendors to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and timely benefit delivery. Maintains detailed records, prepares reports, and assists with audits related to retirement benefits. Continuously reviews and updates retirement plan information to improve efficiency and participant satisfaction.

Requirements

Minimum High School or GED
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly confidential environment, handling sensitive participant, financial, and personal data with discretion and professionalism.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear, accurate, and professional correspondence related to retirement benefits, plan notices, trustee directives, and participant communications
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex retirement plan provisions to employees, retirees, beneficiaries, trustees, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review reports, reconcile benefit payments, identify discrepancies, and support audits and compliance reviews.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including advanced use of Excel for reconciliation, reporting, and data analysis; Word for formal documentation; and Outlook for professional correspondence and coordination.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, retirement plan administration concepts, including eligibility, vesting, distributions, beneficiary determinations, recordkeeping, and fiduciary considerations under ERISA and applicable regulations.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment, including close partnership with the Retirement Manager, HR Operations, Payroll, Finance, and external service providers to ensure accurate and timely plan administration.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a regulated environment.
Self-motivated, adaptable, and flexible team player who demonstrates a willingness to support departmental initiatives and assist with special projects as needed.
Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of the position in accordance with organizational standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative performance expectations.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources or related field.
Qualified 401(k) Administrator or Certified Benefits Professional

Responsibilities

Serves as a primary point of contact for retirement plan participants, providing individualized support to active employees and terminated vested participants regarding 401(k) and pension benefits.
Conducts retirement consultations, explains plan provisions and distribution options, and calculates retirement benefit elections in accordance with plan documents and regulatory requirements.
Coordinates and participates in employee education sessions in partnership with the recordkeeper, including on-site and off-site meetings as needed.
Works closely with the Retirement Manager, recordkeepers, trustees, auditors, actuaries, and other plan service providers to support the ongoing administration of all retirement plans.
Assists with audit preparation, responds to data requests, validates reports, and supports compliance with ERISA, plan documents, and internal governance standards.
Prepares and distributes participant communications, including monthly advisory notices to participants approaching age 65, benefit confirmation letters, trustee directives to initiate, suspend, or modify benefit payments, and correspondence related to life events (including condolence letters to beneficiaries of deceased participants).
Assists with researching and reconciling death notifications and beneficiary information received from trustees or third-party sources.
Maintains accurate participant records and supports daily plan recordkeeping activities.
Coordinates with affiliated packinghouse operations to obtain annual hours, verify service credit, and confirm termination dates.
Reconciles monthly benefit distributions by reviewing trustee reports and investigating discrepancies.
Ensures proper documentation, file retention, and data integrity in alignment with recordkeeping policies and audit standards.
Partners with internal stakeholders, including Payroll, HR Operations, and affiliated business units, to ensure accurate eligibility, service, and compensation data for retirement plan administration.
Travels to affiliated locations as needed to support participant education and retirement benefit reviews.
Supports the Retirement Manager with special projects, process improvements, and compliance initiatives related to plan administration, audits, and regulatory changes.
Attends meetings and training sessions as requested to remain current on retirement plan regulations, best practices, and fiduciary responsibilities.
Follows all company policies, procedures, and standards of conduct, and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
Performs other related duties and projects as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the department.