Benefits & LOA Specialist

coborns•Saint Cloud, MN

17h•$55,000 - $87,000

About The Position

At Coborn’s Inc., ownership isn’t just a structure—it’s a mindset. Every employee plays a part in building a workplace where people feel supported, informed, and empowered. As our Benefits & Leave of Absence (LOA) Specialist, you’ll be at the heart of that mission—helping fellow employee-owners navigate some of life’s most important moments with confidence and clarity. In this role, you will administer the organization’s centralized leave of absence (LOA) processes, employee benefit programs, and retirement plans. You’ll ensure compliance with all regulations while delivering accurate, timely, and efficient support—because taking care of our people is everyone’s business. You’ll serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers, helping them make informed decisions and ensuring fair, consistent application of policies across the organization.

Requirements

Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in employee benefits administration and leave of absence management.
Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, COBRA, and other applicable leave-related policies.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer all company leave programs, including FMLA, non-FMLA, and state-mandated leaves
Guide employees and managers through LOA processes with clarity and support
Maintain accurate, compliant leave records and reporting
Coordinate with payroll and vendors to ensure seamless leave and benefits continuation
Oversee administration of all employee benefits programs (health, retirement, and more)
Serve as a trusted resource for benefits questions, eligibility, and issue resolution
Ensure accurate enrollments, system updates, and vendor billing audits
Lead the planning and execution of open enrollment from start to finish
Create clear, engaging benefits communications and onboarding materials
Manage ACA reporting (1094-C/1095-C) with accuracy and timeliness
Stay current on regulations (ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA) to ensure compliance
Identify opportunities to enhance benefits programs and employee experience

Benefits

Medical Insurance with Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
Dental and Vision Insurance
401(k) plan options – we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – yes, we’re employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
Education benefits, including tuition discounts and scholarship programs
10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company-owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
Paid Military Leave
Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards, including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources – to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
Get Paid Daily with DailyPay – for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance, entertainment and more!
Tools, resources, and opportunities for career growth and development