Senior Benefits Leader: Strategic & Data-Driven (Buffalo)

Lactalis Heritage Dairy; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off from day one

Education Reimbursement

Retirement plan contributions

Job summary

Lactalis USA in Buffalo, NY seeks a Senior Manager, Benefits to lead strategy, administration, and compliance of US health, welfare, retirement, and wellbeing programs.

You will manage a team of three Benefits Specialists, oversee enrollment, COBRA, vendor relationships, and collaborate with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external providers to ensure accurate and employee‑centred benefits.

This hybrid role offers growth opportunities within a global dairy leader.

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred in HR, Management, Finance, or similar.
• 8+ years of progressive benefits experience focusing on health, welfare, retirement, leave, and wellbeing.
• CEBS or similar benefits certification preferred; knowledge of IRS, DOL and related law required.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, administration, and improvements of U.S. health, welfare, retirement, and wellbeing programs to deliver competitive, compliant, cost‑effective offerings.
• Manage and develop a team of three Benefits Specialists through coaching, prioritization, performance management, and accountability for service delivery.
• Oversee benefits operations, including eligibility, enrollment, life events, payroll deductions, vendor integrations, COBRA, retirement programs, and annual enrollment.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors, brokers, consultants, carriers, and third‑party administrators, including contracts, performance, service standards, and issue resolution.
• Partner with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, HR leadership, and external providers to ensure accurate administration, data integrity, compliance, and a positive employee experience.
• Establish and maintain operational controls, standard operating procedures, audits, and service standards that support efficient, scalable, and compliant operations.
• Lead annual renewals and budget management through plan design evaluation, benchmarking, forecasting, financial analysis, vendor negotiations, and cost‑containment strategies.
• Analyze utilization, claims, market trends, employee feedback, and vendor performance to identify program enhancements, mitigate risk, and improve operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, retirement plan, and leave‑related regulations.
• Lead benefits projects, system implementations, vendor transitions, and process improvements that strengthen efficiency, compliance, employee experience, and organizational effectiveness.
• Develop and oversee employee communications, education, training, presentations, annual enrollment materials, and self‑service resources that promote benefits understanding and engagement.
• Serve as the senior escalation point and subject matter expert for complex benefits and retirement matters, advising employees, leaders, HR Business Partners, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Benefits leadership

Vendor management

HR policies

Project management

Education

Master's degree preferred in HR/Management/Finance

Job description

Lactalis USA in Buffalo, NY seeks a Senior Manager, Benefits to lead strategy, administration, and compliance of US health, welfare, retirement, and wellbeing programs.

You will manage a team of three Benefits Specialists, oversee enrollment, COBRA, vendor relationships, and collaborate with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, and external providers to ensure accurate and employee‑centred benefits.

This hybrid role offers growth opportunities within a global dairy leader.