Compensation & Benefits Specialist

Challenge Manufacturing; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP program

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing in Walker, Michigan, is seeking a Compensation & Benefits Specialist to manage payroll for 600+ employees, administer benefits programs, and support HR operations at our ESOP-driven, employee-owned company.

The role requires detail-oriented, analytical professionals proficient with Workday or similar payroll systems, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.

Qualifications

• Must have ability to process payroll and benefits administration with accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for resolving payroll inquiries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, is required.

Responsibilities

• Processes bi-weekly payroll for 600+ team members, ensuring accurate time records.
• Administers benefits programs including health, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Maintains ADP benefits module and payroll reporting.
• Responds to benefits questions and resolves administrative issues with carriers.
• Supports renewal processes for health and retirement plans.
• Monitors uncashed checks and processes reports to state agencies.
• Provides essential customer service related to payroll and benefits.
• Completes clerical tasks and maintains electronic records.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Workday

ADP

Job description

Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!Who We Want:The Compensation & Benefits Specialist processes salary team member payroll, assists employees with benefits enrollment and questions, approves benefit elections, approves benefit vendor invoices, and completes payroll reporting.What You'll Do:Administers the bi-weekly salary team member payroll process for over 600 team members, including ensuring time and attendance records are accurate and approved from supervisors, submitting payroll reports, and issuing paychecks/direct deposits.Review and distribute checks including creating manual checks to replace checks lost by employees. Mail checks to absent employees.Supports plant locations with hourly payroll processing as needed.Administer various employee benefits programs, such as group health, flexible spending accounts, dental and vision, accident and disability, life insurance, 401(k), and wellness benefits.Maintain ADP benefits module and ensure benefits changes are reviewed and approved.Assist employees with health, dental, life and other related benefit questions.Resolve administrative problems with the carrier representatives.Assists in obtaining statistics and information in renewal process of any health, life and retirement plans that benefit the company.Compiles payroll data such as hours worked, insurance and miscellaneous deductions.Administers FOC and garnishment deductions for salary team members.Monitors uncashed checks and submits annual reports to the State.Respond to questions from managers and employees regarding pay policies.Prepare and post benefit notices.Performs basic customer service functions associated with key job tasks (i.e. answering employee and 3rd party requests for information).Filing and clerical duties including maintenance of electronic records.When and Where:This will be an 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM M-F position located at our Corporate Office in Walker, Michigan.What You Need to Have:High School Diploma or GED (required), bachelor’s degree (Preferred)Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail (Required)Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills (Required)Dependable, reliable, and responsible (Required)Ability to work in a fast-paced environment (Required)Ability to work both independently and as part of a team (Required)Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Required)Proficient with payroll software, preferably Workday (Highly preferred)Prior experience with benefits administration (Preferred)