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 Sr. Benefits Specialist is responsible for assisting employees with benefits – especially complex cases or VIP employees, maintaining employee data base, managing employee files and insurance billings, supporting the administration of employee benefits programs, developing benefits training using new technologies (AI) and vendors resources, communicating and delivering training regularly to employees. This position is also responsible for working closely with the Payroll team and with Compliance, for the proper reporting of taxable fringe benefits including company-provided vehicles, relocation, payroll integration, and group term life insurance. This position collaborates closely with the Sr. Compensation Manager in charge of 401(k) plan. Our benefits programs consist of health, disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment benefits, pension plans and a 401(k) plan for approximately 1600 plus employees with an annual cost of approximately 24+ million dollars.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS:

• Administer various employee benefits plans and programs in an efficient, timely and accurate manner to assist employees in making decisions regarding their future.
• Coordinate with HR team to initiate benefits campaigns in due time and with the relevant communication plan.
• Collaborate with the HR Generalist to develop communication materials, training 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. 
• Coordinate with HR Business Partners to initiate and manage the benefits start to eligible employees (e.g. leave of absence, disability insurance, life insurance,…).
• Support and drive the implementation of benefit programs/training and the communication of benefit information to employees and management by being visible and present at locations.
• Maintain a high level of customer service and responsiveness to HRBP’s, Plant Administrators and employees during and after the benefit enrollment process.
• Contribute to the yearly Benefits Education Plan and coordinate vendors in the delivery of respective training and communication.
• Support the contact and relationship with outside benefit consultants/brokers, insurance companies, actuaries, and trustees to ensure consistent application and interpretation of benefit plans within the Group.
• Monitors administration of taxable employee fringe benefits ensuring compliance with IRS regulations with support from 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.
• Complete required reporting incl. compliance reports, and efficiency analysis.
• 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 efficiency initiatives, acquisitions and mergers.
• 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.
• 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 a