Compensation Benefits Specialist

Midea; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Midea is seeking a Compensation & Benefits Generalist to own US compensation structures, payroll processing, and benefits programs during the startup phase. You will design pay bands, oversee monthly payroll, administer ADP-based systems, and benchmark against the market.

You will also manage benefits (medical, 401(k), PTO), ensure ERISA/ACA/COBRA compliance, and develop compliant SOPs. Strong Excel skills and US-regulatory knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Accounting or related field.
• 3–5 years US compensation and benefits experience, with at least 2 years payroll processing.
• Familiarity with US compensation practices, including job evaluation and market benchmarking.
• Proficiency with payroll systems (ADP, Paycom, Gusto) and advanced Excel/data analytics.
• Knowledge of core US labor regulations: FLSA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, etc.
• Excellent data accuracy and ability to handle confidential compensation information.
• Experience designing benefits programs (health, 401(k), PTO) and vendor management.
• Strong communication for employee inquiries and compliance documentation.
• Experience with payroll tax filings and government reporting (W-2, 1095, EEO-1).
• Ability to design processes in ambiguous startup environments and drive initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Compensation Management & Payroll – design and maintain US compensation structures, including bands and bonus plans.
• End-to-end monthly payroll processing, timekeeping reconciliation, tax withholding, and payslip distribution.
• Administer payroll system (ADP Run or other platforms) ensuring data accuracy.
• Conduct market benchmarking; analyze pay trends and recommend adjustments for competitiveness.
• Handle compensation inquiries and ensure timely, accurate resolutions.
• Benefits Administration – medical/dental/vision, 401(k), life/disability insurance; manage vendor relationships.
• Open enrollment planning, benefits communication, and compliance with ERISA/ACA/COBRA.
• 3) Process Development & Compliance Support – draft SOPs, establish internal controls, ensure regulatory compliance (FLSA, equal pay).
• Support audits, tax filings (W-2, 1095) and government reporting (EEO-1).
• Support other HR activities (performance management, employee relations) as needed.

Skills

US compensation structure design

Market benchmarking

End-to-end payroll management

Benefits plan administration

FLSA/ERISA/ACA compliance

Advanced Excel & data analytics

ADP/Paycom/Gusto familiarity

Bilingual English/Chinese

Data confidentiality

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Finance/Accounting

Tools

ADP Run

ADP Workforce Now

Paycom

Gusto

Job description

During the initial establishment of Midea's US operations, this position will serve as the core owner of the compensation and benefits function, taking full responsibility for designing and implementing local US compensation structures and benefits programs. From compensation framework development, market benchmarking, payroll processing, to benefits plan administration (health insurance, 401k, PTO, etc.), the role ensures competitiveness, compliance, and positive employee experience. In the lean startup phase, this will be a highly versatile C&B generalist role, directly safeguarding payroll integrity and talent attraction for the US team.

Main Responsibilities/Dutie

(1) Compensation Management & Payroll – 50

• %Design and maintain US local compensation structures, including job grading, salary bands, overtime policies, and bonus plans
• .Manage the end-to-end monthly payroll process, including timekeeping reconciliation, payroll calculation, tax withholding, and payslip distribution
• .Administer the payroll system (ADP Run or other platforms), ensuring data accuracy and compliant system configuration
• .Conduct regular compensation market benchmarking, analyze industry pay trends, and recommend adjustments to maintain external competitiveness
• .Handle compensation-related employee inquiries, ensuring timely response and accurate resolution

(2) Benefits Administration & Employee Experience – 30

• %Administer US employee benefits programs including medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance
• .Manage benefits vendors, including contract negotiation, renewal evaluation, and day-to-day operational liaison
• .Design and optimize PTO (Paid Time Off), holiday policies, and other flexible benefits offerings
• .Organize annual open enrollment, develop benefits communication campaigns to enhance employee awareness and satisfaction
• .Ensure benefits plans comply with federal regulations (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, etc.) and maintain compliant documentation

(3) Process Development & Compliance Support – 20

• %Draft standard operating procedures for compensation and benefits, establishing internal controls and approval authority frameworks for the startup phase
• .Ensure compensation and benefits practices comply with FLSA, equal pay laws, and state/local regulations
• .Support compensation-related audits, tax filings (W-2, 1095, etc.), and government reporting (EEO-1, etc.)
• .Support performance management, employee relations, and other HR-related tasks as business needs require
• nsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, or related fiel
• d.3-5 years of US compensation and benefits experience, with at least 2 years of hands-on payroll processing experienc
• e.Familiarity with US compensation practices, including job evaluation, compensation structure design, and market benchmarking methodologie
• s.Proficiency with mainstream payroll systems (ADP Workforce Now, Paycom, Gusto, etc.); advanced Excel and data analytics skill
• s.Knowledge of core US labor regulations: FLSA, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, et
• c.Exceptional attention to detail and data sensitivity, with the ability to handle confidential compensation information under high accuracy requirement

Preferred Qualification

• onsCCP (Certified Compensation Professional), CBP, or SHRM-CP/SCP certificati
• on.Experience managing US compensation for manufacturing companies or Chinese enterprises expanding into the US mark
• et.Familiarity with multi-state payroll processing, including state tax variations and compliance requiremen
• ts.Experience designing benefits programs including HSAs, FSAs, and wellness progra
• ms.Project experience with payroll system implementation or migration (e.g., from manual processing to AD
• P).Basic financial knowledge with the ability to understand compensation cost budgeting and labor cost analys

Skills and Abilities

Hard Skills: US compensation structure design and market benchmarking; end-to-end payroll management and system operation; benefits plan administration and vendor negotiation; compliant application of FLSA/ERISA/ACA regulations; advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, compensation modeling); bilingual business communication (English/Chinese)

Soft Skills: Strong data accuracy and confidentiality awareness; excellent employee communication and service orientation (handling sensitive compensation/benefits inquiries); ability to independently build processes in ambiguous, evolving startup environments; cross-functional collaboration skills (efficient liaison with Finance, Legal, and external vendors); self-motivated problem identification and solution-driving initiative.