Human Resources Benefits Manager

Thompson Marine; Birmingham, Northern (AL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Thompson Tractor is seeking a Human Resources Benefits Manager to direct health and wellness benefits, total rewards, and leave programs. You will serve as the SME and primary spokesperson, coordinating with carriers, vendors, and internal departments to ensure accurate data, compliance, and effective plan administration.

The role includes leading enrollment, managing the 401(k) plan in partnership with the Administrative Committee, and training managers on leave policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business or finance field.
• 5+ years of HR experience with benefits and leave programs.
• Experience with benefit carriers, brokers, and vendors.
• Knowledge of benefit regulations and leave laws (FMLA/ADA).
• Strong communication, data analysis, and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee health and welfare benefits administration (health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability, EAP).
• Manage annual enrollment, eligibility data, and plan communications.
• Coordinate with vendors, carriers, and third parties for benefits.
• Supervise Benefits Administrator and support 401(k) retirement plan administration.
• Oversee leave programs (FMLA/ADA) and respond to inquiries.
• Ensure compliance and conduct benefits data audits.
• Provide training to supervisors on leave and benefits processes.

Skills

Benefits administration

Leave management

HRIS experience

Data analysis

Confidentiality

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance

Tools

UKG HRIS/payroll

Job description

The Human Resources Benefits Manager is responsible for the direction and administration of the organization's employee health and wellness benefits and total rewards programs. The person in this position oversees the Company’s health and welfare benefits plan, employee leave programs, substance abuse and drug/alcohol testing programs, and has administrative input into the Company’s retirement (401(k)) plan.

The person in this role serves as the Company’s subject matter expert and primary spokesperson for these programs. The position reports directly to the Director of Human Resources (DHR), works closely with other Human Resource operational areas, interacts regularly with Company managers across all divisions, and manages outside vendors providing services to the Company in connection with the Company’s benefit programs. This position supervises the Benefits Administrator who provides a supporting role in the following responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities

Health & Wellness Benefits Administration

• Oversees the administration of the Company’s health care, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, EAP, and voluntary/supplemental benefit programs.
• Manages the Company’s annual employee enrollment process and administers eligibility and other qualification issues that arise across a large, multi-state workforce..
• Partners with consultants, carriers, and vendors with respect to benefit offerings, plan design, claims trends, and cost management.
• Ensures accurate benefit deductions and eligibility data across HRIS, payroll, carriers, and vendor systems.
• Conducts routine audits to address enrollment, eligibility, deduction, and vendor discrepancies.
• Provides support to the Company’s Administrative Committee which oversees administration of the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan ..
• Coordinates eligibility, enrollment, contribution changes, loans, distributions, beneficiary elections, and other plan activities.
• Partners with Payroll Administrator to ensure employee deferrals are accurate and transmitted in a timely manner.
• Coordinates with the Company’s recordkeeper, third-party administrator, financial advisor, auditor, and other service providers.
• Supports annual testing, plans audits, and otherwise assists with regulatory compliance.

Leave of Absence Administration

• Oversee all Company leave programs, including pursuant to FMLA and ADA
• Interacts regularly with employees and managers to provide information and respond to inquiries relating to employee leave.
• Provides regular training to supervisors and managers with respect to employee leave.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Administration

• Manages substance testing programs in accordance with Thompson Tractor policy and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Partners with testing vendors, laboratories, collection sites, Employee Health and Safety (EHS) Team, and Operations to administer testing programs and procedures.
• Supports compliance with applicable DOT and FMCSA drug and alcohol testing requirements for covered employees, including monitoring random testing requirements.
• Provides regular training to supervisors and managers with respect to substance testing.

Total Rewards Administration

• Develops and oversees implementation of the Company’s strategy and programs for encouraging employee wellness.
• Develops communications for informing employees and managers with respect to the Company’s Total Rewards program.

Analysis and Reporting

• Partners with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Analyst and Payroll Administrator to ensure accurate system integrations and conduct routine employee benefit record audits.
• Evaluates effectiveness of offerings and programs through analysis of benefits costs, employee participation, and claims.

Characteristics

The preferred candidate enjoys interacting with people and will demonstrate initiative, commitment to teamwork, and dedication to finding solutions and responding to inquiries in an efficient manner. There should also be a commitment to the Company’s core values. Confidentiality, accuracy, and regular/ predictable attendance, are also required.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related studies required.
• 5+ years working in Human Resources in an organizational setting, with meaningful experience and familiarity with employee benefit programs and employee leave situations. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of this requirement.
• Working knowledge of applicable requirements governing employment benefit programs and employee leave.
• Experience working with benefit carriers, brokers, third parties, and vendors.
• Skilled in oral and written communication, data analysis, attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving,
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee information with discretion and accuracy.
• Strong Computer Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Experience:

• Experience managing substance testing programs.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce.
• Experience supporting employees in an industrial environment.
• Experience with UKG or a comparable HRIS/payroll platform.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Sense of Urgency

Advanced

Organizational

Advanced

Expert

Time Management

Advanced

Team Building

Advanced

Problem Solving

Advanced

Verbal Communication

Expert

Expert

Relationship Building

Advanced

Microsoft Office

Advanced

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Human Resource Administration or related field.

Experience

Preferred

5+ years working in Human Resources in an organizational setting, with meaningful experience and familiarity with employee benefit programs and employee leave situations. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of this requirement.

Working knowledge of applicable requirements governing employment benefit programs and employee leave.

Experience working with benefit carriers, brokers, third parties, and vendors.

Skilled in oral and written communication, data analysis, attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving

Ability to manage confidential and sensitive employee information with discretion and accuracy

Strong Computer Skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License Personal

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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