Benefits Specialist

External Ocean State Job Lot•North Kingstown, RI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist at Ocean State Job Lot plays a strategic and operational role in administering, analyzing, and optimizing the Company’s associate benefits portfolio. The position manages day-to-day administration of health, dental, life, disability, 401(k), COBRA, FSA, and wellness programs, ensuring smooth enrollment, fiscal accuracy, data integrity, regulatory compliance, strong vendor performance, and responsive service to associates and stakeholders across corporate, distribution center, and store operations. The role leads vendor and benefits operations, financial audits and reconciliations, annual open enrollment, and the implementation and communication of benefit offerings. It serves as a subject matter expert for complex benefits matters and the benefits module of the HRIS platform, partners with internal teams to address sensitive issues, and supports leadership with benefit-related decisions when departmental management is absent. The position works in a climate-controlled environment and offers a hybrid option, with at least three days per week in the Corporate Office. Hybrid arrangements are not guaranteed and may change based on Company policy, associate performance, and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combined education and progressive experience.
At least 4 years of progressive experience in benefits administration, benefits analysis, or total rewards administration.
High proficiency with HRIS platforms, specifically benefits modules.
Proficiency with Google platforms, including Sheets, Slides, Docs, Drive, and Sites.
Thorough working knowledge of ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, and federal and state benefits regulations.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial and benefits information to people at all organizational levels.
Strong organizational, analytical, and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Fluency in English.
Availability during working hours.

Nice To Haves

Secondary language skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison for third-party benefits vendors and providers, including medical, dental, 401(k), COBRA, and FSA providers.
Audit vendor performance against service level agreements and resolve underperformance, billing discrepancies, and administrative disputes.
Maintain accurate associate benefits records and oversee enrollment and claims-handling processes.
Lead recurring audits of benefits administration and payroll systems to verify accurate and timely reconciliation of deductions, elections, and vendor charges.
Oversee monthly billing and vendor-charge reconciliation to maintain data integrity and fiscal accountability.
Lead and coordinate annual open enrollment across all locations, including communications, materials, and project timelines.
Manage the launch, rollout, and change-management communications for new benefit offerings to supply chain, store, and corporate associates.
Evaluate benefit offerings, analyze associate feedback and data, and recommend improvements.
Respond to associate inquiries and serve as a subject matter expert on complex benefits issues.
Advise management on benefits-related matters, policies, and procedures.
Partner with teams such as Legal and Payroll to resolve sensitive claims, formal complaints, and complex inquiries while mitigating risk.
Serve as the functional subject matter expert for the Benefits Administrator Module within the HRIS platform.
Use software tools for data reconciliation, financial modeling, and reporting.
Maintain compliance with applicable state and federal benefit laws and regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ACA.
Act as a point of contact and lead for benefits-related decision-making in the absence of departmental management, as needed.
Maintain a professional and ergonomically safe work environment and be available during working hours.
Perform other duties and tasks as requested by supervisors or managers.