HRIS / Benefits Specialist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

HRIS Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely employee information within the HRIS.
• Process employee hires, transfers, promotions, pay-rate changes, department changes, status changes, and terminations.
• Maintain employee job, pay, department, supervisor, location, and organizational information.
• Audit HRIS data for accuracy and completeness.
• Research and correct HRIS discrepancies.
• Assist HR management with HRIS reporting and workforce data.
• Develop and maintain standard HRIS reports and recurring reports.
• Support HRIS system upgrades, testing, implementation, and process improvements.
• Assist with user access, security, and appropriate system permissions.
• Maintain data integrity between HRIS, payroll, timekeeping, benefits, and other HR systems.
• Provide HRIS training and assistance to HR staff and appropriate management personnel.
• Maintain documentation of HRIS procedures and processes.

Benefits Administration

Administer company benefit programs, including

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Accident and supplemental insurance
• 401(k) or retirement plans

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

• Other company-sponsored benefits
• Process new-hire benefit enrollments and qualifying life-event changes.
• Assist with annual open enrollment activities.
• Verify employee benefit elections and deductions for accuracy.
• Coordinate benefit eligibility with insurance carriers and benefit vendors.
• Process benefit terminations and changes associated with employee status changes.
• Monitor benefit eligibility and enrollment records.
• Reconcile benefit invoices and identify discrepancies.
• Research and resolve employee benefit and carrier issues.
• Maintain accurate benefit records and documentation.
• Assist employees with understanding available benefit options while providing information in a clear and objective manner.
• Coordinate required benefit notices and communications.
• Assist with COBRA administration and coordination with the appropriate third-party administrator.
• Assist with required benefit reporting and compliance activities.

Payroll / HR Data Support

• Work closely with Payroll to ensure HRIS information affecting payroll is accurate.
• Review benefit deductions and other HR-related payroll deductions.
• Assist in researching payroll discrepancies related to employee status, pay, benefits, or HRIS data.
• Coordinate employee changes that affect payroll.
• Assist with payroll audits and reconciliations as needed.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting employee changes.
• Compliance and Recordkeeping
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records.
• Assist with compliance requirements associated with employee benefits and HR records.
• Support administration of requirements related to FMLA, COBRA, ACA, HIPAA, ERISA, and other applicable regulations, as appropriate to the company's benefit programs.
• Assist with required government and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain benefit plan documents, employee notices, forms, and other required records.
• Ensure confidential employee information is protected and handled appropriately.
• Assist with internal and external benefit audits.

Employee Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees regarding HRIS and benefit questions.
• Assist employees with benefit enrollment and HRIS self-service transactions.
• Provide timely and professional responses to employee questions.
• Help employees understand HR processes and available resources.
• Work with employees across multiple shifts and departments as needed.
• Escalate complex benefit, payroll, employee-relations, or compliance issues to the appropriate HR leader.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve HRIS and benefits processes.
• Recommend ways to reduce manual work, errors, and unnecessary paperwork.
• Develop standardized procedures and checklists.
• Assist with automation and electronic HR processes.
• Participate in HR projects designed to improve employee service and administrative efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Human Resources Department.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with special HR projects and assignments.
• Support employee communication regarding benefit programs and HR processes.
• Assist with audits and year-end HR activities.
• Provide backup support to other HR team members as needed.
• Maintain professional relationships with vendors, carriers, and third-party administrators.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Human Resources Manager or Director of Human Resources.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR, HRIS, benefits, payroll, or related experience preferred.
• Experience working with an HRIS system required.
• Strong understanding of employee benefits administration.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with hourly employees, supervisors, managers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting a workforce of 500+ employees.
• Experience with UKG or a comparable HRIS/payroll system.
• Experience with benefits administration and open enrollment.
• Experience with HRIS reporting and data analysis.
• Experience with ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and other benefits-related compliance requirements.
• HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

HRIS

Ability to maintain employee records, process transactions, run reports, troubleshoot data issues, and support HRIS users.

Benefits

Working knowledge of employee benefit programs, eligibility requirements, enrollment processes, deductions, and carrier administration.

Excel/Data

Ability to use spreadsheets, sort and filter data, perform basic calculations, reconcile information, and identify discrepancies.

Communication

Ability to explain HR and benefits information to employees in a clear, professional, and understandable manner.

Confidentiality

Ability to handle sensitive employee, compensation, benefits, and personal information with a high degree of discretion.

Problem Solving

Ability to investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, and work with appropriate parties to resolve issues.

Organization

Ability to manage multiple deadlines and maintain accurate records in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Summary

Position Summary

The HRIS / Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of the company’s Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and employee benefit programs. This position serves as a key resource for maintaining employee data, processing benefit enrollments and changes, supporting payroll-related HR data, and assisting employees with benefit questions and HRIS transactions.

The HRIS / Benefits Specialist works closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, insurance carriers, third-party benefit administrators, and employees to ensure accurate records, effective benefit administration, and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.

This position is especially important in a manufacturing environment with a large hourly and salaried workforce and multiple shifts.