Director, Health & Benefits

Utz Brands, Inc.; Hanover (York County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Utz Brands, Inc. is seeking a Director, Health & Benefits in Hanover, PA. This role involves shaping the benefits experience for employees, managing health and welfare programs, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Ideal candidates should have over 10 years of benefits leadership experience, a bachelor’s degree, and strong analytical and communication skills.

Competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth are part of our commitment to employees.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive benefits or total rewards leadership experience.
• Hands-on experience with self-insured medical plans and multi-year cost forecasting.
• Experience leading benefits compliance and risk oversight in a multi-state environment.

Responsibilities

• Set and evolve the multi-year health & welfare strategy.
• Own plan design across various benefits.
• Lead benefits financials and forecasting.
• Partner with Finance on premium funding decisions.
• Ensure enterprise governance and compliance.

Skills

Benefits strategy expertise

Financial modeling

Vendor governance

Analytical capability

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field

Job description

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Director, Health & Benefits to join our team in Hanover, PA. This role will help shape the benefits experience for employees across multiple states—balancing innovation, affordability, compliance, and a great employee experience. In this enterprise leadership role, you’ll set the strategy and governance for our health and welfare programs—medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, life, voluntary benefits, and wellness—ensuring they stay competitive, compliant, scalable, and financially sustainable.

You’ll operate above day-to-day administration, partnering closely with HR, Finance, Legal, and Audit to make data‑backed recommendations on cost, risk, and program performance—and to translate complex insights into clear executive decisions.

What You’ll Do

• Set and evolve the multi‑year health & welfare strategy aligned to workforce needs, business priorities, and financial goals.
• Own plan design across medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, disability, life, voluntary benefits, and wellness; evaluate new programs and point solutions.
• Lead benefits financials and forecasting (trend analysis, annual budget, multi‑year projections) and drive cost‑containment initiatives.
• Partner with Finance on self‑insured plan performance, stop‑loss strategy/recoveries, and premium funding decisions.
• Use claims, utilization, and vendor performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and executive‑ready recommendations.
• Ensure enterprise governance and compliance across ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA/state leave, and ADA; steward plan documents, SPDs, notices, and audits in partnership with Legal.
• Lead vendor governance end‑to‑end, including RFPs, selection, contracting, renewals, and performance management.
• Build a scalable benefits operating model: lead and develop the team, and oversee communications and open enrollment governance.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required (Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field); advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive benefits or total rewards leadership, including enterprise strategy and governance.
• Hands‑on experience with self‑insured medical plans, stop‑loss programs, and multi‑year cost forecasting/budgeting.
• Proven ability to lead vendor strategy (RFPs, selection, contracting, and performance management) and drive outcomes through strong negotiation.
• Experience leading benefits compliance and risk oversight (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA) in a multi‑state environment.
• Public company experience is a plus.

Skills & Strengths

• Deep expertise in benefits strategy, plan design, financial modeling, and vendor governance.
• Executive‑level communication and presence; able to translate complex data into clear insights and recommendations.
• Strong analytical capability, including interpreting claims/utilization data and using reporting tools to monitor trends and performance.
• Proven people leadership and change management; ability to build scalable operating models and governance routines.
• High integrity and discretion with sensitive employee, financial, and health information; strong judgment and risk orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.