Benefits Strategy and Design Manager

Its more than a job

This Kuehne+Nagel Human Resources role covers recruiting, compensation, talent management and... toys. Yes, toys. Because your efforts create a functional and positive workplace that allows teams to stay focused on helping toy manufacturers, for example, get their products to stores and children around the world. Working in HR at Kuehne+Nagel brings more joy than we imagine.

The Benefits Strategy and Design Manager is responsible for leading the strategic design, and development of the organizations national benefits programs in the United States. This role steers the evolution of benefit offerings by evaluating current policies, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and workforce needs.

Working closely with Total Rewards/HR leadership, senior leadership, and external partners, this position drives initiatives that enhance the employee experience, strengthen workplace culture, and support talent attraction and retention. Through effective communication, data-driven insights, and continuous program optimization, the Benefits Strategy and Design Manager ensures that benefits strategies promote employee well-being, reduce absenteeism, increase engagement, and contribute to a positive, productive work environment. This role is a strategic individual contributor and subject matter expert reporting into the Global Total Rewards Partner within the Total Rewards Center of Excellence.

How you create impact

Benefits Program Design & Enhancement:

• Lead the design, and continuous improvement of national benefits programs-including health plans, retirement savings (401k), mobility and car programs, vacation policies, fitness and well-being initiatives, and mental health offerings.
• Ensure programs are competitive, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational strategy.

Communication, Education & Adoption:

• Partner with the HR Service Delivery team to develop clear, user-friendly communication materials and training resources to support new or updated benefits programs.
• Deliver presentations, informational sessions, and toolkits that promote understanding, utilization, and employee engagement.

Expert Guidance & Market Alignment:

• Ensure national benefits initiatives adhere to global Total Rewards standards while reflecting local needs and market practices.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of market data, benchmarking studies, and regulatory changes to inform program adjustments and maintain competitive positioning.

Change Management & Stakeholder Support:

• Guide HR teams (including national benefits administration team) and local HR stakeholders (HR managers, HRBPs) through benefits-related changes by providing training, documentation, and compliance support.
• Gather ongoing feedback from internal partners and translate insights into recommendations for the Global Total Rewards Partner to support continuous improvement.

What we would like you to bring

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in employee benefits management including plan design taking a hands-on approach.
• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance or a related field.
• Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Suite.
• Analytical skills to problem-solve, interpret, and simplify data.
• Strong knowledge of benefits laws and regulations, benefits certification preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter who is attention to detail-oriented and possess a continious improvement mindset.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and benefits-related software.
• Comfortable working a 4:1 hybrid schedule from our beautiful corporate office in downtown Jersey City.

Whats in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility.

The target base salary range for this position is between $110,000 and $140,000. Base salary is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data.

#LI-AA1

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.