Benefits Specialist-Hybrid

Essendant • Deerfield, IL

438d

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist at Essendant plays a crucial role in managing and administering employee benefits and retirement plans. This hybrid position involves preparing reports, processing sensitive associate information, and assisting with various benefit-related communications. The specialist will also support pension plan management and ensure compliance with internal and external audits, all while embodying the company's core values of integrity, collaboration, and customer-centricity.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of one year of experience required.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail, follow up and problem resolution.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) with ability to interact effectively with all levels through the organization.
• Must possess goal driven sense of urgency and customer service responsiveness, with ability to consistently meet or exceed deadlines on all projects and requests.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with UKG or other similar HRIS systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepares ongoing and ad hoc reports as requested.
• Compiles, prepares and processes a wide variety of confidential and sensitive associate information.
• Reviews cases assigned by HR Services as they relate to benefits and retirement.
• Processes life events and other associate transactions within benefits platform and through vendor portals or direct vendor contact.
• Assists in creation and coordination of the delivery of associate benefit related communication materials as needed.
• Prepares documents to support the team, including emails, memos, letters, presentations, and plan documents.
• Assists pension TPA with day-to-day case management for union and nonunion pension plans.
• Supports internal and external auditor requests for pension and 401(k) plans.
• Assists with administration of 401(k) plan including preparation/analysis of vendor reports/feeds.
• Responsible for 401(k) funding reconciliation after every payroll and reviewing/updating errors on 401(k) file prior to funding sent to Fidelity.
• Conducts audits on a monthly or quarterly basis on 401(k) plan to ensure loans are not defaulting and all associate elections are reflected in HRIS timely.
• Assists with medical and other welfare and retirement plan administration including researching and responding to participant inquiries.
• Coordinates the organization, review, coding, approval and payment of invoices from various vendors supporting benefits activities.
• Provides support in scheduling meetings, conference calls, webinars, and training sessions for benefits, including emailing invites and sending meeting materials.
• Understands and demonstrates Essendant's Core Values.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401k with matching
• Company Holidays
• Overtime Pay for hourly employees
• Paid Vacation, Floating Holidays, and Sick Time
• Maternity and Parental leave benefits
• Employee discount
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree