Benefits Manager (7010)

GRIFFIN GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES INC • Woodridge, IL

6d • $70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Are you an experienced benefits professional who enjoys combining strategy, analytics, and employee engagement? At Griffin Greenhouse Supplies, we’re looking for a Benefits Manager to join our Human Resources team and play a key role in managing and evolving our employee benefits programs across a nationwide workforce. This role is ideal for someone with experience managing self-funded health plans, benefits compliance, and vendor partnerships, who is passionate about helping employees understand and maximize the value of their total compensation. With competitive benefits, a collaborative team environment, and the opportunity to shape benefits strategy, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact at one of the nation’s leading horticultural suppliers.
Why Work for Us?
Join a family-owned company with a long-standing reputation for excellence in the horticulture industry. Work in a collaborative HR environment that values strategic thinking and employee engagement. Help shape and manage benefits programs that support employees across the country. Contribute to initiatives that improve employee wellbeing and total rewards strategy.
What You’ll Do:
Benefits Strategy & Administration Manage and administer the company’s employee benefits programs including self-funded medical plans, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives Evaluate plan performance, utilization trends, and claims data to identify cost management opportunities and program improvements Partner with benefits brokers and consultants to review plan design, renewals, and stop-loss coverage Ensure programs remain competitive and aligned with company goals Self-Funded Plan & Captive Oversight Oversee the company’s self-funded health plan and captive insurance arrangement Collaborate with third-party administrators (TPAs), pharmacy benefit managers, stop-loss carriers, and captive administrators Review claims reporting, utilization reports, and financial performance of the health plan Participate in captive program discussions and support leadership in evaluating risk exposure and funding strategies Vendor & Broker Management Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, TPAs, and benefits vendors Monitor vendor service performance and assist with contract negotiations and renewal discussions Resolve issues related to claims, eligibility, and vendor support Employee Support & Open Enrollment Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communication, and employee education Conduct benefits presentations and 401(k) orientation sessions Serve as the primary contact for employees with questions about benefits, claims, eligibility, and coverage Compliance & Reporting Ensure compliance with benefits regulations including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA Coordinate preparation and filing of Form 5500 for retirement and Section 125 plans Support ACA reporting requirements including Forms 1094 and 1095 Maintain accurate documentation to ensure regulatory compliance across a multi-state workforce HR Collaboration Partner with HR leadership on benefits strategy and compensation benchmarking Assist with salary survey analysis and compensation review processes Support administration of employee leave programs in compliance with company policies and applicable regulations

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent experience managing employee benefits programs may be considered
• 5+ years of experience managing employee benefits programs
• Direct experience working with self-funded health plans, TPAs, and stop-loss carriers
• Experience analyzing claims data, utilization reports, and benefits performance metrics
• Experience managing benefits for a multi-state or nationwide workforce
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA compliance
• Experience leading open enrollment and employee benefits education
• Experience managing brokers, insurance carriers, and benefits vendors
• Experience coordinating Form 5500 and ACA reporting
• Experience with HRIS systems such as Paycom, ADP, or Paylocity

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications such as CEBS or CBP are a plus
• Experience with group captive insurance programs or employer risk-sharing arrangements is highly valued

Responsibilities

• Manage and administer the company’s employee benefits programs including self-funded medical plans, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plans, and wellness initiatives
• Evaluate plan performance, utilization trends, and claims data to identify cost management opportunities and program improvements
• Partner with benefits brokers and consultants to review plan design, renewals, and stop-loss coverage
• Ensure programs remain competitive and aligned with company goals
• Oversee the company’s self-funded health plan and captive insurance arrangement
• Collaborate with third-party administrators (TPAs), pharmacy benefit managers, stop-loss carriers, and captive administrators
• Review claims reporting, utilization reports, and financial performance of the health plan
• Participate in captive program discussions and support leadership in evaluating risk exposure and funding strategies
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, TPAs, and benefits vendors
• Monitor vendor service performance and assist with contract negotiations and renewal discussions
• Resolve issues related to claims, eligibility, and vendor support
• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communication, and employee education
• Conduct benefits presentations and 401(k) orientation sessions
• Serve as the primary contact for employees with questions about benefits, claims, eligibility, and coverage
• Ensure compliance with benefits regulations including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA
• Coordinate preparation and filing of Form 5500 for retirement and Section 125 plans
• Support ACA reporting requirements including Forms 1094 and 1095
• Maintain accurate documentation to ensure regulatory compliance across a multi-state workforce
• Partner with HR leadership on benefits strategy and compensation benchmarking
• Assist with salary survey analysis and compensation review processes
• Support administration of employee leave programs in compliance with company policies and applicable regulations

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on the first day after 30 days of employment
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, as well as life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) including floating holidays, sick/personal days, and vacation time
• 401(k) plan with a 25% company match up to 6%, plus a profit-sharing program
• Summer hours for enhanced work-life balance
• Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Christmas holiday bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager