Senior Benefits Specialist

Pay Range: $85,000/yr. – $105,000/yr. based on experience and qualifications 

The Senior Benefits Specialist plays a key role in supporting a multi-site manufacturing workforce by administering and enhancing employee benefits programs that help attract, support, and retain skilled talent in a fast-paced, operations-driven environment. This role partners closely with HR, business leaders, Finance, and external vendors to ensure benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business and employee needs. 

The ideal candidate is passionate about delivering exceptional employee experience while ensuring benefits programs run efficiently and compliantly across a diverse workforce of hourly and salaried employees. 

Please note: This is a hybrid position (3 days per week onsite) based in our Norwood, MA manufacturing facility. 

Key Responsibilities 

Benefits Administration 

• Administer day-to-day operations of health, welfare, retirement, and leave programs for hourly and salaried employees across all HMF facilities. 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding benefits questions, enrollment support, and issue resolution. 

• Lead open enrollment planning, communication, and execution, ensuring employees clearly understand their benefit options. 

• Partner with benefits brokers and vendors to manage annual renewals, plan changes, enrollment processes, and system updates. 

• Build and lead employee education initiatives by developing clear and accessible benefits communications for a frontline manufacturing workforce. 

• Ensure compliance with ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ACA, AAP, and other applicable federal and state regulations. 

• Maintain accurate benefits records and ensure data integrity across HRIS, payroll, and benefits platforms. 

• Collaborate with the EHS team to support Workers’ Compensation administration, reporting, and compliance activities. 

Benefits Operations & Vendor Management 

• Collaborate with benefits vendors, insurance carriers, and brokers to address employee issues, manage escalations, and improve service delivery. 

• Monitor benefits utilization and program effectiveness to identify opportunities for improvement. 

• Support audits, reporting, and documentation related to benefits programs and compliance requirements. 

• Assist with benefits budgeting, forecasting, and renewal analysis in partnership with Finance and HR leadership. 

• Recommend improvements to enhance benefits processes, systems, and the overall employee experience. 

Compensation Support 

• Provide administrative support for hourly and salaried compensation programs including pay changes, job updates, and data maintenance. 

• Assist with market benchmarking and wage analysis for manufacturing roles, including production and skilled trades positions. 

• Support annual merit cycles, plant incentive programs, and reporting as needed. 

• Help maintain compensation data accuracy within HRIS and reporting tools. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. 

• 5+ years of experience in benefits administration or total rewards, preferably supporting manufacturing, industrial, or operations environments. 

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits programs, compliance requirements, and vendor management. 

• Experience supporting hourly and multi-shift workforce is highly preferred. 

• Working knowledge of compensation structures and wage practices in manufacturing environments. 

• Proficiency with HRIS systems, workforce analytics tools, and Excel. 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively engage both frontline employees and leadership. 

• Strong organizational skills and a collaborative, service-oriented approach. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to perform this job's essential functions. 

• This position is primarily sedentary and requires the ability to sit for extended periods, work at a computer, and communicate effectively via phone, video conferencing, and email. 

• Occasional travel to company locations. 

• Must comply with all applicable workplace safety standards and regulations while working on-site or visiting company facilities. 

• Ability to work remotely as assigned, including maintaining reliable high-speed internet access, a secure and productive home workspace, and availability during core business hours. 

• Must be able to effectively use collaboration and communication tools (e.g., email, video conferencing platforms, HRIS) to remain connected and responsive while working remotely.