Benefits & Leave Specialist

Darling Ingredients Inc.; Cold Spring (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Darling Ingredients Inc. is seeking a Benefits Specialist to administer and manage employee leave programs and benefit plans in line with company policies and applicable laws.

You will handle FMLA, disability, personal leave, workers’ comp, and other leave programs, ensuring accurate processing and clear communication. The role supports employees and managers, maintains documentation, assists with audits, and collaborates with HR on onboarding and offboarding.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in benefits or HR administration.
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Oracle HCM experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the day-to-day administration of health, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, retirement plans, and other employee benefit programs
• Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations in HRIS and carrier systems
• Support annual open enrollment, including system setup, materials preparation, and employee communication
• Review, reconcile, and audit benefits data to ensure accuracy and correct discrepancies
• Serve as a primary contact for employee benefits questions, providing clear and timely responses
• Educate employees on benefit options, eligibility, and processes
• Ensures required records are properly maintained and controlled
• Assist with required reporting and audits
• Collaborate with HR team members on employee onboarding and offboarding processes
• Administers various leave programs such as FMLA, disability,and other leave policies, ensuring consistency with company policies and legal requirements
• Processes leave requests by handling the intake, processing, and tracking of employee leave requests, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with relevant regulations
• Tracks leave balances by maintaining accurate records of employee leave balances, ensuring compliance with company policies and legal requirements
• Assist with special projects, process improvements, and system updates within the Benefits department
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information at all times
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Customer service

Self-motivated

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred

Tools

MS Office

Oracle HCM

Job description

Darling Ingredients Inc. is seeking a Benefits Specialist to administer and manage employee leave programs and benefit plans in line with company policies and applicable laws.

You will handle FMLA, disability, personal leave, workers’ comp, and other leave programs, ensuring accurate processing and clear communication. The role supports employees and managers, maintains documentation, assists with audits, and collaborates with HR on onboarding and offboarding.