Benefits Manager

Fresh Del Monte Produce Company•Coral Gables, FL

About The Position

The North America Benefits Manager is responsible for the strategic design, administration, compliance, and management of employee benefits programs across the United States and Canada. The role oversees health and welfare plans, retirement programs, leave of absence administration, vendor management, compliance activities, and employee communications. It ensures that benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and supportive of employee well-being and business objectives. The manager partners with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, HRIS, and external vendors to deliver a strong employee experience and maintain operational excellence. The position manages benefits strategy and administration, including health and welfare programs, retirement plans, leave and disability programs, vendor relationships, open enrollment, employee communications, budgets, reporting, HRIS processes, and compliance with applicable U.S. and Canadian regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
7–10 years of progressive benefits administration experience.
3–5 years of benefits leadership or management experience.
Experience managing U.S. and Canadian benefits programs.
Experience with annual benefits renewals, open enrollment, vendor management, and compliance.
Experience with HRIS systems.
Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian benefits regulations and administration.
Expertise in health and welfare plans, retirement programs, disability, and leave management.
Knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related compliance requirements.
Strong analytical and financial acumen, including experience managing benefits budgets.
Excellent project management and organizational skills.
Strong relationship-building and vendor management capabilities.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage North American employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
Evaluate market trends and benchmark offerings; recommend plan design enhancements and support total rewards and employee well-being strategies.
Manage U.S. and Canadian health and welfare plan eligibility, enrollments, life events, open enrollment, and employee benefit transactions.
Ensure accurate integration among benefits vendors, HRIS, payroll, and third-party administrators, and monitor vendor performance and service-level compliance.
Oversee retirement plans and partner with providers, consultants, and internal stakeholders on administration, compliance, fiduciary governance, committee meetings, audits, and regulatory filings.
Manage leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state and provincial leave requirements, paid family leave, and company leave policies.
Oversee short- and long-term disability, workers’ compensation coordination, and leave vendor relationships.
Ensure compliance with applicable U.S. and Canadian laws and regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS regulations, and Department of Labor requirements.
Coordinate nondiscrimination testing, audits, government filings, and compliance reporting; maintain plan documents, summary plan descriptions, employee communications, and regulatory notices.
Lead vendor relationships, evaluations, contract negotiations, renewals, and RFP processes, identifying opportunities for cost savings and service or operational improvements.
Lead annual open enrollment planning and execution across North America and develop employee communications, educational materials, and training.
Support employee understanding of benefits through presentations, webinars, and individual consultations; manage escalated inquiries and issue resolution.
Manage benefits budgets, monitor program costs, analyze claims and utilization data and vendor performance, and recommend improvements to plan performance and cost effectiveness.
Prepare executive reports and presentations on benefits program effectiveness and trends.
Partner with HRIS and Payroll on benefits configuration and administration, support system implementations, upgrades, and integrations, and implement process improvements.