Lead Benefits Specialist

80 Acres Farms•Hamilton, OH

About The Position

At 80 Acres Farms, we're on a mission to change the way the world eats—and we're looking for people who want to help us do it. We grow pesticide-free salads, herbs, microgreens, and salad kits in smart vertical farms that produce more food with far fewer resources—using up to 95% less water and renewable electricity, with no reliance on weather or seasons. Our produce is available in more than 17,000 retail locations nationwide, including Kroger, Whole Foods, HEB, and The Fresh Market, and reaches food service partners across the country year-round. What makes this possible is a combination of people, technology, and purpose. Our proprietary growing platform, developed by our technology subsidiary, Infinite Acres, provides our teams with real-time data and control over every aspect of the growing environment—making our farms among the most advanced in the world. We operate commercial farms in Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Colorado, packhouses in Indiana, Virginia, and Washington, and research and development facilities in Arkansas, Israel, and the Netherlands. We've grown significantly through the acquisitions of Kalera and Soli Organic, and we're just getting started. If you're passionate about sustainability, food, and building something that matters, we'd love to have you on the team. The Impact You’ll Make The Benefits Specialist manages the day-to-day administration and maintenance of the Company’s health, welfare, and 401(k) retirement programs. Working with the Senior Manager, Payroll & Benefits, this role serves as the primary point of contact for employee education, enrollment, and support, while ensuring operational excellence and data integrity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
3-5 years in benefits/retirement administration or HR Operations
Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, and benefits administration platforms, ADP preferred.

Nice To Haves

Deep understanding of health/welfare benefits, 401(k) plans, and federal/state compliance requirements.
Strong communication / collaboration / leadership skills
Ability to explain complex benefit information clearly to employees at all levels.
High attention to detail and data accuracy.
Employee-focused and service-oriented mindset.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage confidential data.
Collaborative approach with internal partners and external vendors.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operations for all health, welfare, and 401(k) plans, including enrollments, life events, and census data coordination.
Lead employee education efforts during onboarding and open enrollment to assist with informed decision-making.
Serve as the primary escalation point for employee inquiries, claims support, and carrier communications.
Support the evaluation and implementation of new benefit programs and plan changes.
Manage the full lifecycle of employee leaves (FMLA, ADA, state-specific, and company-provided), including documentation, approvals, and return-to-work processes.
Administer workers’ compensation claims from injury intake through resolution, ensuring timely reporting and carrier coordination.
Partner with site leadership and payroll to ensure accurate leave tracking and pay coordination.
Perform regular quality checks and audits across HRIS, payroll, and vendor systems to ensure data accuracy.
Coordinate nondiscrimination testing, annual filings, and internal/external audits for all benefit and retirement plans.
Maintain records and ensure company compliance with all federal, state, and plan-specific regulations.