Benefits Specialist

KIK Consumer Products•Lawrenceville, GA

19d

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist reports to the Benefits Manager and supports the day-to-day administration of KIK’s U.S. and Canadian benefits programs, including benefits billing and reconciliation, audits, compliance, and leave administration. The role partners with third-party administrators, carriers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate and efficient benefits operations, resolve complex issues, and maintain compliance with applicable requirements. The Benefits Specialist also develops employee communications and educational resources, maintains standard operating procedures, and identifies opportunities to improve processes and the employee experience. Success requires strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to independently investigate issues and drive them to resolution while providing exceptional service to employees and business partners.

Requirements

At least 3 years of previous Human Resources benefits experience, with demonstrated success supervising staff.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Working knowledge of health and welfare benefits administration, vendor coordination, billing and reconciliation, eligibility, and compliance requirements.
Experience working with an HR Information System.
Computer proficiency and technical aptitude, including advanced Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
Exceptional customer service skills and the ability to maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external customers.
Effective planning and priority-setting skills, with the ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously under pressure and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills and a thorough knowledge of benefit plan design and legislative requirements.
Strong research, project scheduling, and project management skills.
Ability to engage in and foster a team environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and good listening skills.
Self-motivated, able to work independently and identify needed actions without continual direction.
Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude, maturity, initiative, and integrity while working effectively in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience with U.S. and Canadian benefits programs.
Experience with Oracle HCM.

Responsibilities

Administer U.S. and Canadian health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs, including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, and retirement plans; partner with administrators and vendors to support effective program delivery.
Oversee third-party administrator enrollment and eligibility processes for new hires, qualifying life events, benefit changes, and terminations; monitor activity, resolve exceptions, and ensure accurate, timely data transfers among HRIS, payroll, benefits systems, and carriers.
Serve as the day-to-day contact for benefit administrators, carriers, vendors, payroll, and internal partners; research and resolve enrollment, eligibility, billing, payroll deduction, and claims issues, escalating complex or recurring matters as needed.
Respond to employee questions through the HR ticketing system, email, phone, and in person; explain plan provisions, eligibility, enrollment, claims, and resources, and help employees use benefits software and vendor services.
Develop and deliver benefits communications and resources, including new-hire materials, open-enrollment communications, benefit guides, and year-round education.
Prepare and reconcile benefit invoices, investigate discrepancies, coordinate corrections, and support financial reporting and divisional cost allocations.
Audit and reconcile HRIS, payroll, benefits, and carrier data, including eligibility, enrollments, dependent information, deductions, and coverage; resolve data and integration issues and support system configuration, testing, and process improvements.
Partner with HR business partners, leaders, legal, and leave administrators to support leave programs; provide guidance, monitor cases requiring attention, coordinate with vendors, and escalate issues as appropriate.
Support benefits compliance activities, including required filings, reporting, testing, notices, and fees related to ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, Section 125, Form 5500, 1095-C, Medicare Part D, Schedule 7, and nondiscrimination testing.
Maintain standard operating procedures, process documentation, and administrative controls; recommend improvements that strengthen accuracy and controls, improve the employee experience, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
Support annual open enrollment, including plan setup validation, system and carrier integration testing, employee communications, enrollment monitoring, issue resolution, and post-enrollment audits.
Prepare reports and analyses on enrollment, utilization, costs, compliance, financial reconciliation, vendor service, and operational performance; share trends and improvement opportunities with the Benefits Manager.
Support benefit plan implementations, vendor transitions, system enhancements, and other benefits projects as assigned.