Manager, Benefits

Global Industrial; Roslyn Heights (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Industrial is seeking a Senior Benefits Leader to design and manage health and welfare programs for a large, distributed workforce. You will oversee self-funded medical plans, stop-loss strategy, vendor relationships, and compliance with ERISA and HIPAA, while partnering with Finance, HRIS, and Payroll.

The role emphasizes data-driven cost management, open enrollment leadership, and clear benefits communications across a shift-based workforce.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of progressive benefits experience.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and multi-state compliance.
• Experience with vendor negotiations, renewals, and RFPs.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret claims and financial data.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (SuccessFactors or similar).
• Excellent communication skills, including executive-level presentations.
• Experience supporting industrial, distribution, or manufacturing populations.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, design, and annual planning for all health & welfare programs.
• Own self-funded medical plan performance, including stop-loss strategy, network evaluation, and high-cost claimant oversight.
• Analyze claims trends, utilization, and cost drivers; develop recommendations for cost containment and population health improvement.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and long-range cost modeling.
• Lead annual renewals, RFPs, and negotiations for medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage broker and carrier relationships, ensuring strong SLA performance and issue resolution.
• Oversee day-to-day benefits administration, eligibility, life events, and HRIS/carrier data accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll to ensure accurate system configuration, data integrity, and process alignment.
• Identify areas for process improvement, use of AI, and automation.
• Lead Open Enrollment strategy, communications, testing, and execution.
• Provide oversight of LOA, disability, and workers' compensation coordination with HR, Safety, and third-party administrators.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and multi-state leave laws.
• Own 5500 filings, plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, and required notices.
• Maintain SOX controls and support internal/external audits.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement required updates.
• Develop clear, accessible benefits communications tailored to a distributed, shift-based workforce.
• Lead benefits education initiatives to improve understanding and engagement.
• Oversee wellness and population health programs focused on MSK, chronic conditions, and safety-related risks.
• Partner with HR, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and Safety to ensure seamless program delivery.
• Present recommendations, financial impacts, and program performance to senior leadership.

Skills

Benefits strategy

ERISA compliance

Vendor negotiations

Data analysis

HRIS (SuccessFactors)

Executive communication

Industry experience

Job description

About Global Industrial

Global Industrial Company (NYSE: GIC) is a leading distributor of high-quality, industrial-strength equipment and supplies, serving organizations of all sizes across a wide range of industries. With more than 75 years of experience, customers rely on us for our broad portfolio of national and private brands, trusted service, and strong value proposition.

We help customers keep their operations running by delivering the right products when they need them - because We Can Supply That.

Why Join Global Industrial

At Global Industrial, we're One Team committed to delivering value and empowering our associates to grow. Our culture is built on:

• Meritocracy & Pay for Performance – Your impact drives your rewards
• High Say-Do Ratio – We follow through on our commitments
• Career Growth & Internal Mobility – We invest in your future
• Collaboration & Accountability – One team delivering real results

Make an impact. Be recognized. Grow your career with us.

Global Industrial - Delivering Value Starts Here

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Plan Design & Financial Management

• Lead strategy, design, and annual planning for all health & welfare programs.
• Own self-funded medical plan performance, including stop-loss strategy, network evaluation, and high-cost claimant oversight.
• Analyze claims trends, utilization, and cost drivers; develop recommendations for cost containment and population health improvement.
• Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and long‑range cost modeling.

Vendor, Broker & Renewal Leadership

• Lead annual renewals, RFPs, and negotiations for medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, and voluntary benefits.
• Manage broker and carrier relationships, ensuring strong SLA performance and issue resolution.
• Evaluate PBM and stop-loss options to optimize cost and risk protection.

Operations & Program Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day benefits administration, eligibility, life events, and HRIS/carrier data accuracy.
• Partner with HRIS and Payroll to ensure accurate system configuration, data integrity, and process alignment. Identify areas for process improvement, use of AI, and automation.
• Lead Open Enrollment strategy, communications, testing, and execution.
• Provide oversight of LOA, disability, and workers' compensation coordination with HR, Safety, and third‑party administrators.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, and multi‑state leave laws.
• Own 5500 filings, plan documents, SPDs, SBCs, and required notices.
• Maintain SOX controls and support internal/external audits.
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement required updates.

Employee Experience & Communications

• Develop clear, accessible benefits communications tailored to a distributed, shift‑based workforce.
• Lead benefits education initiatives to improve understanding and engagement.
• Oversee wellness and population health programs focused on MSK, chronic conditions, and safety‑related risks.

Leadership & Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Partner with HR, HRIS, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and Safety to ensure seamless program delivery.
• Present recommendations, financial impacts, and program performance to senior leadership.

Competencies and Skills

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of progressive benefits experience, including self‑funded medical plan management.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and multi‑state compliance.
• Experience with vendor negotiations, renewals, and RFPs.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret claims and financial data.
• Experience with HRIS platforms (SuccessFactors or similar).
• Excellent communication skills, including executive‑level presentations.
• Experience supporting industrial, distribution, or manufacturing populations.

Preferences

• CEBS or CBP certification.
• Experience in a publicly traded company.
• M&A integration experience.
• Pharmacy/PBM strategy experience.
• Experience with wellness or population health programs.

Competencies

• Strategic thinking with operational execution
• Analytical decision‑making
• Vendor and relationship management
• Project management excellence
• Employee‑centric communication
• High integrity and compliance orientation
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, distributed environment

EEO/AA Statement

Global Industrial provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.