Benefits Specialist

King's Hawaiian; Oakwood (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s Hawaiian is seeking a Benefits Specialist to manage day-to-day benefits transactions and support employees across our Oakwood manufacturing and corporate locations. You will handle enrollments, leave processing, 401(k) and other programs, and act as a resource for questions, ensuring accurate records and timely communications.

The role requires strong knowledge of benefits practices, compliance with ACA/ERISA, and excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business or related field required or equivalent experience.
• Experience in benefits administration and knowledge of ACA/ERISA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Administer day-to-day benefits transactions including enrollments and COBRA activity.
• Provide onsite benefits support for employees across manufacturing and corporate sites.
• Coordinate with Payroll, HRIS and vendors to ensure accuracy and timely processing.
• Manage 401(k) and other deferral plans; perform required reporting and communications.
• Coordinate leave-of-absence activities and time-off processing.
• Support enrollment and wellness initiatives and open enrollment activities.
• Develop clear benefits communications via multiple channels.

Skills

Benefits administration

Employee support

Open enrollment

HRIS systems

Benefits compliance

Leave management

Onsite support

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Joining King’s Hawaiian makes you part of our `ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our `ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you’re excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!Working under general supervision, the Benefits Specialist supports the day-to-day administration of King’s Hawaiian employee benefit and wellness programs, including health and welfare, retirement, time off, leaves of absence, wellbeing initiatives, and onsite employee engagement. Principal outcomes of this position include accurate and timely benefits processing, responsive employee support, effective coordination with internal and external partners, and an elevated participant experience. The Benefits Specialist provides accessible, practical support to employees across corporate and manufacturing environments, including employees working varied shifts, by helping them understand and use their benefits, wellness resources, and leave programs. The role maintains accurate records, supports enrollment and wellness activities, and identifies opportunities to improve participation, communication, and the overall employee experience. This position will interact with their supervisor as needed. Routine activities may be completed without a supervisor’s advance approval.ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAdminister day-to-day benefits transactions, including enrollments, life event changes, contributions, deductions, COBRA activity, and other benefit updates.Review benefits-related data in King’s Hawaiian People and Payroll systems for accuracy and resolve discrepancies in partnership with Payroll, HRIS, and benefit vendors.Serve as a primary point of contact for employee and people leader benefits and wellness questions, providing timely, accurate guidance and facilitating the proper use of elected plans and available resources. Provide approachable, onsite support for manufacturing employees across varied shifts through office hours, floor presence, group education, and one-on-one assistance.Support 401(k) and nonqualified deferred compensation plan administration, including enrollment, payroll deduction review, participant education, and required reporting.Coordinate employee time-off and leave-of-absence activities, including case intake, documentation, time tracking, pay status, return-to-work coordination, and status updates.Administer the tuition reimbursement program, maintain program documentation, coordinate with vendors, review requests and exceptions, and support accurate payments.Support talent acquisition and onboarding activities by responding to candidate and new-hire benefits inquiries, participating in orientation, and assisting with initial enrollment.Coordinate with internal and external partners to support accurate and timely annual open enrollment activities and communications.Support the implementation and ongoing administration of benefit and wellness programs, including wellbeing campaigns, preventive care education, employee assistance resources, fitness and nutrition initiatives, and activities that encourage healthy behaviors and employee participation.Assist with benefits reporting, audits, compliance activities, and ongoing documentation to help ensure plans are administered in accordance with applicable requirements.Coordinate and participate in onsite benefits and wellness events, including health fairs, biometric screenings, vaccinations, wellbeing challenges, appreciation events, and educational sessions. Schedule activities and communications to reach manufacturing employees across shifts while partnering with site leaders, Safety, Operations, and vendors to support strong participation.Develop and distribute clear, accessible benefits and wellness communications for manufacturing employees, using multiple channels such as onsite signage, digital displays, huddles, printed materials, and leader toolkits to reach employees who may have limited access to email or computers during the workday.Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of this role.BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE)Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience required; benefits certification preferredAt least 2 years of experience in Human Resources, benefits administration, or a related function requiredWorking knowledge of employee benefits practices, principles, and regulations required; experience in a manufacturing and/or corporate setting preferredADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (JOB SKILLS, ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE)Working knowledge of benefits practices and procedures used to administer organization-wide benefit plans, programs, and policiesProficiency with Windows-based business computers and Microsoft Office programs, particularly Excel and OutlookWorking knowledge of federal and state requirements affecting employee benefit programs, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, and ADAStrong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to explain benefit programs clearly and respond to employee questions with empathy and discretionBilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred, but not requiredAbility to build cooperative working relationships with employees, people leaders, internal partners, and external vendorsWorking knowledge of HR management software such as Workday or a similar platformStrong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines in an environment with overlapping prioritiesAbility to review benefits data and documentation, identify discrepancies, and coordinate timely resolutionAbility to use sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and resolve routine issues within established policies and proceduresWillingness and ability to embrace King’s Hawaiian’s aloha values of excellence, dignity, and telling it like it is in a way it can be heardAbility to demonstrate curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligenceLocation: Onsite 5 days/wk in Oakwood, GAKing's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.