Benefits Specialist Jobs

Company Overview

FoodChain ID was founded in 1996 as Genetic ID, a pioneer of the GMO food identification industry, now embraced worldwide. Globally, the company employs 750 people and is rapidly expanding.

Their technical and business services rapidly expanded to serve clean label, food safety, and sustainability claims through various verification, certification offerings, and a robust suite of testing/business services that expedite food and agricultural exports. The company is at the vanguard of the New Food industry, providing expertise worldwide to navigate the requirements of an increasingly regulated food economy and technical services to support the demand for clean label standards.

FoodChain ID assists food, feed, and agricultural companies, from the world’s leading brands to single local product producers and is at the forefront of the visibility and transparency revolution. They provide the knowledge, technologies, and tools necessary to meet the growing demand for higher transparency, accountability, safety, and sustainability. More than 30,000 companies in over 100 countries rely on their industry-leading solutions. They annually certify more than 3 million metric tons of agricultural products for social and environmental responsibility to the ProTerra standard while guiding export to all major markets.

Berkshire Partners acquired the company in December 2020. Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, has made more than 130 private equity investments since its founding over 30 years ago. Berkshire Private Equity has developed sector experience in business services & technology, communications, consumer, healthcare, and industrials. The firm has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests.

Summary

We know that our IDers (that is what we call ourselves as we identify with our mission and bring ideas to our customers) can only offer the best service to our customers in our goal of making the food supply chain safe and transparent when they feel valued and appreciated. Therefore, we pride ourselves on offering a competitive total compensation package with a focus on benefits. We are looking to hire an entry-level Benefits Specialist to support us in these efforts. The incumbent in this role will manage our US-based benefits (health and 401k) and will launch our wellness efforts. As a member of our HR team, you will contribute to our vision of being trusted business partners, leading the growth, well-being, and retention of our IDers, building a great culture, and becoming an employer of choice.

The role will report to the Human Resources Manager, Americas.

Responsibilities

• Handle administration of onboarding documents for new hires
• Consult with and provide direction to employees, collaborate with benefit brokers and carriers, review premium payments, and interpret and ensure compliance with Plan Documents
• Ensure timely and compliant administration of all benefit plans, including but not limited to new hire enrollment, life event changes, terminations, leaves of absence, short and long-term disability, 401(k), and COBRA
• Monitor employee satisfaction with company benefit plans. Provide recommendations regarding the cultural viability of new and/or modified benefits
• Develop wellness initiatives to help our IDers to get the most out of their physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being
• Assist in payroll review of benefits deductions
• Oversee benefit reconciliation on provider invoices
• Serve as the escalation point of contact for employee benefits questions, including leave of absence and 401k
• Conduct ongoing data audits for benefit enrollment administration
• Assist in the development of the yearly US benefits strategy, obtaining approval from executive management, and implementing it through the Open Enrollment process, including recommending timelines, developing communication materials, delivering employee presentations, and responding to employee questions
• Monitor and administer ACA compliance

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in administering FMLA, including approval, tracking, and follow-up
• An associate degree in related field preferred, or 2 years’ experience in a related field
• Understanding of project management
• Minimum one to two years of previous experience in the administration of benefits
• Proficient in Excel and other Microsoft applications, including Word, Outlook, and Teams

Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills

• You are passionate about data accuracy and know that offering correct information on benefits is essential to our IDers experience
• You stand for the quality of your work and take pride in delivering high standards
• You look for trends, and your curiosity helps define our future benefits strategy and direction
• You have good presentation skills and like sharing our great benefits in Open Enrollment or IDer orientation meetings
• You respond quickly to our IDers questions and are resourceful in finding external support if needed
• You like being part of a growing organization, and being part of a dynamic, remote HR team that supports each other
• Since you are the expert in this field, you work independently and take the initiative to develop new programs and ideas
• You know the fundamentals of US Benefits Programs (health, wellness, and 401k)
• Our mission of making the food supply chain transparent and safe is personal to you, and you are keen on helping achieve this globally