Our client in Belding, MI is seeking a detail-oriented and employee-focused Benefits Specialist to join their growing HR team. This newly dedicated role was created as part of the organization's continued growth and commitment to improving employee support, compliance, and benefits administration across a multi-site manufacturing environment. With approximately 500 employees and evolving HR systems and processes, this position offers the opportunity to take ownership of benefits administration while helping shape and enhance programs that directly impact the employee experience.

This role is ideal for a benefits professional who enjoys balancing day-to-day administration with process improvement, employee interaction, compliance management, and vendor collaboration. The Benefits Specialist will play a key role in managing leave administration, open enrollment, wellness initiatives, and benefits compliance while partnering closely with leadership, brokers, and external vendors. Candidates with manufacturing experience, strong leave management expertise, and a proactive mindset will thrive in this environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans, FSA/HSA programs, wellness initiatives, and voluntary benefits
• Coordinate benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, employee status changes, terminations, and COBRA administration
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions related to benefits, leave programs, eligibility, claims issues, and policy interpretation
• Manage leave administration processes including FMLA, ADA accommodations, short-term disability, long-term disability, personal leaves, and applicable state leave programs
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and more
• Partner with benefit brokers, carriers, consultants, and vendors to support plan administration, compliance updates, and program enhancements
• Coordinate and support annual open enrollment activities including employee communication, education, system configuration, and enrollment auditing
• Conduct regular audits of benefits data, payroll deductions, billing reconciliations, dependent eligibility, ACA tracking, and HRIS records
• Support wellness initiatives and employee engagement programs designed to improve participation and employee experience
• Maintain accurate employee benefits records and ensure the confidentiality of sensitive employee information
• Assist with benefits reporting, analytics, budgeting support, and compliance documentation
• Support HRIS and benefits platform administration, including ongoing system enhancements and integrations
• Stay current on changing benefits laws and proactively recommend process improvements and compliance updates

Qualifications

• 3+ years of employee benefits administration experience
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • FMLA
  • ADA
  • Leave administration
  • Short-term disability
  • Long-term disability
  • Open enrollment
  • Benefits compliance and administration
• Experience working directly with benefit brokers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators
• Experience administering employee benefits within an HRIS platform
• Strong understanding of benefits auditing, payroll deduction reconciliation, and HRIS data integrity
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and employee service skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience with Paycor or Paylocity HRIS
• Experience supporting wellness programs or employee engagement initiatives
• Experience with multi-state leave administration and compliance
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• HR certifications such as CEBS, SHRM-CP, or PHR

Schedule

• Standard Monday-Friday schedule, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Full-time, onsite role within a manufacturing environment

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Newly created role with strong visibility and ownership
• Opportunity to help improve and optimize benefits processes and systems
• Growing organization investing in HR infrastructure and employee support
• Collaborative leadership team focused on operational improvement
• Stable manufacturing environment with continued growth

Titles Encouraged to Apply

• Benefits Coordinator
• Benefits Administrator
• Leave of Absence Specialist
• HR Benefits Analyst
• Total Rewards Coordinator
• Compensation & Benefits Specialist
• HR Generalist with Benefits Experience