Sr. Benefits Specialist

RESPECT to people, COURAGE to be pioneers and raise the bar, and always demonstrating INTEGRITY and authenticity. Do these core values align with yours? If so, Lhoist North America may be the place for you! We are a company that believes our people make it happen and rewards talent by offering opportunities to further develop your knowledge and interests. Within our organization, we offer safety first environments, collaboration across teams, diverse and inclusive workspaces all while challenging each other to grow.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Benefits Manager is responsible for supporting and driving the ongoing evaluation, communication, and administration of employee benefit programs consisting of health, disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment benefits, in collaboration with the Compensation Manager pension plans and a 401(k) plan, for approximately 1600 plus employees with an annual cost of approximately 24+ million dollars.  This position is also responsible for the support to payroll, and compliance with proper reporting of taxable fringe benefits including company-provided vehicles, relocation, payroll integration, and group term life insurance while working closely with their manager. This position will oversee and support the Company-wide benefit programs, as well as the related system integrations, with minimal supervision needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS:

• Support and drive the implementation of benefit programs and the communication of benefit information to employees and management by being visible and present at locations.
• Support the preparation and participate, when required, in the benefit and investment sub-committee meetings comprised of senior leadership members.
• Oversee and support the contact and relationship with outside benefit consultants, insurance companies, actuaries, and trustees to ensure consistent application and interpretation of benefit plans within the Group.
• Monitors the administration of taxable employee fringe benefits ensuring compliance with IRS regulations, supported by payroll.
• Support with the implementation of a plan to achieve a high level of technical proficiency in employee benefit programs resulting in a diminishing reliance on outside consultants.
• Drive the administration of group benefit plans in an efficient, timely and accurate manner to assist employees in making decisions regarding their future.
• Streamlines and documents benefits processes, identifying roles and responsibilities, tasks and timeline.
• Assists with new vendor implementations or process improvement projects and initiatives.
• Support the benefits integrations with vendors, in collaboration with their manager, Total Rewards Director, and HRIS Manager.
• Evaluate, challenge and make recommendations of cost-effective employee benefit plans enabling employees to receive a high level of benefits while striving to achieve a reduced risk exposure and containing the cost impacts for the Company.
• Provide support analysis around benefit issues in relation to acquisitions, mergers, and reduction actions.
• Assists and support the HR divisional leadership with benefit issues, cost and modeling for collective bargaining negotiations.

• Develop a training plan and calendar to continue employees education on offered benefits.
• Collaborate with the HR Generalist to develop communication materials and support with ensuring that all employee benefit information is communicated timely and accurately by leading ongoing education training for HRBP’s, Plant Administrators, and leadership in order to communicate effectively to the workforce around their benefit plans. 
• Contribute to the yearly Benefits Education Plan and coordinate vendors in the delivery of respective training and communication.
• Maintain a high level of customer service and responsiveness to HRBP’s, Plant Administrators and employees during and after the benefit enrollment process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Excellent communication skills, oral & written and customer service is paramount to this position with people in potentially stressful situations.
• Requires a high-level knowledge of human resources procedures and law, management and familiarity with benefits policies, procedures, and programs.
• This position requires continuous follow-through and closure. 
• Must maintain complete confidentiality and interact with all levels of the organization in