2024 - Pursued and received $1,000 reimbursement for service metrics not being met regarding FMLA administration.2023 - Implemented a Group Medicare Advantage Plan for eligible retirees. Facilitated communications and collaborated with compliance partners on policy/SPD language. Pursued and received $1,000 reimbursement as part of service metrics not being met with FMLA administrator.2022 - Developed and implemented a new hire benefits e-learning course by collaborating with Learning and Development. 2020 - Implemented a quarterly 401(k) audit for contributions, distributions, loans and fees to compliment the annual audit.Jun - Dec 2019 - Implemented a new benefits platform with UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group). Moved from UKG core to Benefits Administration (Benefits Prime). Aug - Dec 20181 - Implemented a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) effective Jan 1, 2019. (Family Savings Plan) 2 - Created a new benefit offering - pet insurance as a payroll deduction. 3 - Implemented a mandatory spouse carve out policy. 2018 - Created and facilitated a benefits broker RFP. Managed invitations, gathered and reviewed responses, answered inquiries and designed an executive summary, including a score card of the RFP findings. Recommendations were made to leadership and a new service agreement was established and signed.Review, edit, implement and communicate benefit related policies (PTO, FMLA, Tuition Reimbursement, Adoption Assistance) Manage and lead the annual open enrollment process including communications and plan changes. Process and approve all life events in UKG. Rectify benefit deduction audit findings.Facilitate and lead the annual 401(k) audit.Audit the annual 5500s and 1095Cs.

Maintain Summary Plan Descriptions and benefit policies ensuring accuracy & compliance; implement changes to benefit program offerings, conduct cost impact analysis & prepare data for management decision-making, coordinate & manage open enrollment process & communications.

Designed and managed all aspects of the benefits function which included day-to-day operations of the group medical, dental, life, disability, flexible spending and retirement plans. Provided analytical and technical support in the delivery of benefit programs.

Designed and managed voluntary benefit plans which included disability, life, vision, legal, FSA and EAPs with an annual budget of $20 million. Transitioned from a self-insured LTD plan to fully-insured and achieved $2 million in claims savings, reduced administration fees by $100,000 annually, reduced duplication of administration and improved customer service delivery to claimants. Facilitated and measured ongoing vendor partnership to ensure contract deliverables were reported and produced.Assisted in the design and launch of web based employee benefit statements to help communicate and market the value of the total rewards model. Created and edited all communications which included postcards, emails and presentations, facilitated manager meetings and tested the on-line system to ensure statement accuracy.In-sourced leave of absence administration and achieved savings of $150,000 annually in consulting fees and produced useful departmental reporting for managers to assist with scheduling needs. Created and published five leave of absence policies and developed standard operating procedures for HR staff regarding the details of how leave of absence was processed and communicated. Integrated the return-to-work program with the disability administrator to reduce disability costs.Facilitated and communicated annual benefit enrollment materials for 13,000 benefit eligible associates within deadlines; 95% of associates enrolled for benefits and received ID cards prior to new plan year. Incorporated benefits changes into SPDs by ensuring compliance and avoiding unnecessary claims from DOL or ERISA.Trained department leaders on various HR policies such as Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, Adoption Assistance, Jury Duty, and Bereavement Leave.Planned and orchestrated a company event for 15,000 associates and their dependents with a budget of $450,000.

Managed health, dental, life and disability plans for 5,000 employees. Assumed Retirement Plan administration functions in 2002 as Benefits Manager. Reviewed total costs semi-annually to ensure no variations in the $20 million budgets.Recommended benefit changes to leadership to achieve 5% savings in total budget.Migrated twelve distinctly different 401(k) and five Pension Plans to a single provider which achieved more effective and lower cost administration to employees; developed communications, managed payroll testing, evaluated investment fund mapping and ensured audit request were completed timely and accurately. Pioneered the implementation of a high deductible health care plan to a new distribution center by offering more choice. Coached HR Managers regarding benefit administration and compliance of Benefits/HR policies and procedures without incurring legal fees or fines.Recommended benefit changes to Labor Relations Manager for Union contracts to facilitate the consolidation of benefits without disrupting the mission or increasing costs.Served as team member for ADP HRIS/Payroll consolidations in 2003 and 2006 by combining pay groups and benefit programs. Served as member of Retirement Plan Committee and liaison between trustee and employees.Evaluated and compared existing benefits with other similar industry employers by participating in local/National benefit surveys.Maintained benefit compliance by editing SPDs, MPDs and preparing SARs and 5500s.

Same as Benefits Manager duties.

Authorized and maintained benefits eligibility for all the benefit plans for 3,000 employees. Prior positions included Benefits Specialist, Personnel Specialist and Accounts Payable Clerk.Created and mailed COBRA/HIPAA letters and collected payments for 200 participants annually. Expedited coverage terminations and avoided unnecessary claims experience in the benefit plans. Conducted new hire orientations and provided demo of Intranet HR site. Calculated monthly benefit premium payments to vendors via self-bill method.Collected data for 5500s and FAS 106 and 112 reporting.