Senior Manager, Benefits- Health & Welfare Programs
About The Position
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion. For more information, visit www.grainger.com. Reporting to the Sr. Director, Benefits and Executive Compensation, the Senior Manager, Benefits (Health & Welfare Programs) is responsible for leading the design, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of Grainger’s U.S. health and welfare benefit programs aligned with business strategy and workforce needs. The role provides subject matter leadership for medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and related benefit programs and partners with leaders, consultants, vendors and external providers to evaluate program performance, recommend changes, and support competitive, financially sustainable, compliant, and employee-centered delivery. The role leads a team of three benefits team members and oversees complex health and welfare matters requiring cross-functional coordination and judgment. This is a hybrid position that is based onsite in Lake Forest or Chicago 2-3 days a week.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- 7+ years of experience in employee benefits, including benefit plan design, administration, vendor management, and health and welfare and/or retirement programs required.
- People leadership experience managing employees, projects, or teams within benefits, total rewards, or a related function required.
- Knowledge of employee benefit programs and applicable regulatory requirements, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and relevant IRS requirements.
- Experience evaluating benefit plan design, program performance, market practices, vendor services, and related data to develop recommendations and support benefit decisions.
- Experience managing benefit vendors, complex projects, annual planning activities, and escalated benefit matters involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience communicating benefit strategies, program recommendations, risks, and complex information to leaders, employees, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
Nice To Haves
- Master's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, administration, communication and continuous improvement of employee benefit programs, including health and welfare and voluntary benefits, to support business and workforce objectives.
- Evaluate program competitiveness, sustainability, effectiveness, affordability, and compliance. Establish strategy and leverage the claims data warehouse, vendor analytics and insights, market practices, benchmarking, program performance, employee needs, and business requirements to recommend benefit strategies and plan-design changes.
- Partner with and present to leadership and key stakeholders on annual benefit planning, vendor reviews, plan design, budgeting, and implementation activities to support informed program decisions and effective execution.
- Manage external consultant and brokerage firm relationships. Manage and hold all vendors accountable by establishing expectations, monitoring service delivery (SLAs) and program performance; includes quarterly business reviews (QBRs). Lead contract renewals, resolving escalations, and driving continuous improvement.
- Lead benefits team members and oversee end-to-end annual enrollment activities, benefit projects, operational priorities, and escalated matters to support effective delivery, appropriate controls, optimal user experience and timely resolution.
- Ensure health and welfare programs and administration comply with applicable requirements while monitoring regulatory developments and advising leadership on potential program impacts.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
- 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
- 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date)
- 6 company holidays per year.
- 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
- Employee discounts
- tuition reimbursement
- student loan refinancing
- free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
- Maternity support programs
- nursing benefits
- up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents
- up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
