Benefits Specialist

GEA Group•Columbia, SC

7d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

GEA Group is seeking a Benefits Specialist to support its HR Benefits Team and ensure that employee and retiree benefits programs are administered accurately and efficiently. The role covers health and welfare programs, leave of absence administration, benefits data and reporting, billing reconciliation, spending accounts, HSA employer funding, retiree benefits, and 401(k) administration. The specialist also serves as a resource for employee questions and provides clear, effective benefits support.

Requirements

5 or more years of experience in benefits administration, including leave of absence, data reporting, billing reconciliation, retirement plans, spending accounts, and COBRA.
Strong knowledge of HRIS and benefits administration systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with data reporting and analysis, including VLOOKUP and pivot tables.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to support employees, retirees, and internal teams.
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, and IRS regulations governing 401(k) plans, FSAs, and HSAs.
Experience working with third-party benefits administrators.
Knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, and other health and welfare regulations.
Knowledge of payroll processes related to benefits.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Serve as a day-to-day contact for employees with benefits questions or concerns, providing guidance and support.
Maintain and manage the internal ticketing system for employee inquiries.
Administer leave of absence processes, including FMLA, ADA, and company-specific leave policies.
Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to support compliance with regulations and internal policies.
Track, document, and report leave of absence activity for HR, payroll, and compliance requirements.
Collect, analyze, and maintain benefits data, ensuring data integrity and accuracy across HR systems.
Prepare and distribute regular and ad hoc reports on benefits enrollment, utilization, and trends.
Conduct monthly reconciliation of benefits billing, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other plans.
Resolve billing discrepancies with vendors, payroll, and finance teams, and maintain reconciliation records.
Administer spending accounts, including FSAs and HSAs, coordinating with third-party vendors and supporting compliance.
Process employer HSA contributions and monitor accuracy and timely funding.
Support retiree benefits enrollment, changes, and inquiries; coordinate with third-party administrators and maintain related records.
Assist with 401(k) plan administration, including employee enrollments, contributions, and distributions.
Work with vendors to resolve 401(k) participant issues and support regulatory compliance.
Support annual 401(k) audits, compliance testing, and reporting.