Benefits Manager

Dole Food Company Inc•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced, senior-level individual contributor to lead health and welfare and retirement programs for employees across multiple U.S. states. The role works across varied federal and state requirements, workforce populations, vendors, financial controls, and escalated employee matters to ensure accurate, compliant, and consistent benefits administration. It serves as a key liaison among employees, Payroll, Accounting, Finance, Legal, consultants, and vendors, identifying risks, resolving systemic issues, and translating complex requirements into clear recommendations and actions. The position also supports ongoing administration of closed retiree benefit programs, including pension and related health and welfare benefits under plans no longer open to new participants. Responsibilities include employee communications and resources, plan documentation and disclosures, regulatory reporting, specialized benefit programs, financial administration, vendor oversight, and governance and fiduciary support. The Benefits Manager is the primary contact for the Dole Retirement Service Center (RSC) on retiree health and welfare administration and works with the RSC, Finance, Payroll, providers, and other stakeholders on retiree matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
Eight or more years of progressive benefits experience supporting health and welfare and retirement programs.
Experience supporting employees across multiple U.S. states and applying differing state requirements within consistent enterprise processes.
Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, Form 5500, Medicare Part D, and Qualified Medical Child Support Orders.
Experience with annual enrollment, benefit implementations, vendor management, employee communications, regulatory compliance, financial reconciliation, audit support, and cross-functional partnership with Payroll, Accounting, Finance, and Legal.
Advanced analytical, problem-solving, communication, and Microsoft Excel skills, with sound judgment in managing compliance and operational risk.
Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and able to maintain ongoing work authorization; the company does not provide employment visa sponsorship.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with union and nonunion populations and jurisdictions with distinctive state requirements, including Hawaii.
Experience with ADP Workforce Now Comprehensive Services, Pooled Employer Plans, and vendor negotiations or transitions.
CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee health and welfare and retirement benefits administration for employees across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
Resolve escalated eligibility, enrollment, payroll, leave, vendor, data, and invoicing issues; identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
Support compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, Form 5500, Medicare, and applicable federal and state requirements.
Lead annual enrollment and benefit implementations, including planning, system testing, communications, vendor coordination, payroll validation, and reconciliation.
Manage vendor performance, renewals, invoices, reconciliations, cost allocations, funding schedules, and audit support.
Coordinate retirement plan operations with providers, Payroll, Accounting, consultants, and fiduciaries to support accurate contributions, remittances, reporting, and controls.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders to manage risk, strengthen processes, and improve the employee experience.
Develop, maintain, and distribute benefit communications, enrollment materials, presentations, notices, and educational resources.
Maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, summaries of benefits and coverage, required notices, and related compliance materials; oversee electronic distribution and document retention.
Coordinate ACA reporting, Form 5500 filings, participant disclosures, government inquiries, and related compliance activities.
Oversee health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, COBRA administration, and other employee benefit programs.
Support administration of closed retiree health and welfare benefits for a population with frozen eligibility under medical and life insurance programs; coordinate with the third-party retiree service center and the person responsible for pension administration on retiree inquiries, claims, eligibility, and other benefit issues.
Support retirement plan governance and fiduciary oversight, including retirement committee activities, provider oversight, pooled employer plan obligations, fiduciary reporting, audits, and plan design changes.
Support Welfare, Retirement, and Investment Committee activities, prepare recommendations, oversee providers, and identify matters requiring escalation.
Partner with Finance, Accounting, and Payroll on benefit invoicing, reconciliations, cost allocations, funding schedules, budgeting support, and financial reporting.
Interpret plan provisions, assess operational and compliance risks, develop recommendations, and coordinate complex matters with Legal, consultants, and vendors.
Act as the primary contact for the Dole Retirement Service Center regarding retiree health and welfare administration.
Approve retiree medical and other retiree-related invoices as needed.
Review and approve life benefit claims for eligible beneficiaries and coordinate processing with Payroll.
Partner with the RSC and monitor Via Benefits administration of retiree Health Reimbursement Accounts.
Monitor monthly distribution of foreign pension checks.
Manage compliance for closed retiree health and welfare programs in coordination with the RSC, including participant notices and disclosures, regulatory filings and reporting, and applicable Medicare, ERISA, and ACA activities.