Human Resources & Benefits Administrator

Description

Human Resources and Benefits Administrator

Reports to: Human Resources Manager 

Pay Grade: 8 (Full Time, Salaried Exempt) 

Supervises: Human Resources Assistant

Purpose: The HR and Benefits Administrator oversees the daily administration of employee benefit plans and supports recruitment, hiring, training, and compliance efforts while maintaining accurate personnel records. This role provides strategic input on HR initiatives, advises management on employment law, and leads cross-functional projects to enhance benefits, compliance, and recruitment strategies.

Job Responsibilities 

Customer Service

• Provide excellent customer service to all internal and external customers, including all employees and employment candidates.
• Ensure high level of customer service throughout the Co-op through training and program development.

Benefits Administrator

• Serve as the go-to expert for daily benefits support, handling employee questions and working with insurance providers to resolve complex issues.
• Assist HR Manager in oversight of health, wellness, and retirement plans (like 401(k)), including managing contributions and coordinating wellness programs.
• Handle vendor relationships, ensuring timely service and fixing any issues that come up.
• Help with compliance and reporting tasks, such as audits, tax filings, and benefit plan documentation, while managing monthly benefits invoicing and financial reconciliations.

Recruitment and Hiring

• Help with recruiting and onboarding by scheduling orientations, handling new hire paperwork, and enrolling employees in benefits.
• Support staff with basic HR questions and provide timely, helpful responses to all inquiries.
• Process employment-related forms, such as job verifications, unemployment claims, and health department documents.
• Manage job postings and applicant files, ensuring compliance with policies and responding to applicant and manager questions.

Labor Relations

• Support the HR Manager with employee relations, labor relations tasks, and by reporting any staff concerns or issues.
• Stay informed on employment policies, the union contract, and state and federal labor laws.
• Participate in trainings, workshops, and professional development opportunities to continue learning.
• Assist with special HR and company projects, and help create a positive, team-oriented work environment.

Administrative

• Support HR with general organizational tasks and help ensure accurate, printed materials are available to employees and managers.
• Maintain accurate, confidential employee files and help manage performance evaluation forms and schedules.
• Help create and share internal communications like newsletters, memos, policy updates, and employee surveys.
• Assist with tracking benefits enrollment, staff status changes, and annual pay increases.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The job duties/responsibilities listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform.

Qualifications:

• At least five (4) years’ experience in a Human Resources and Benefit role or a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Demonstrated objectivity, neutrality, and ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Basic knowledge of state and federal employment law. 
• Ability to think independently and critically, relative to the duties of the job and written policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Experience working in an office environment with proficiency in MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and Paylocity.
• Outstanding communication skills - verbal, written, and active listening.
• Ability to collaborate and provide excellent customer service while working effectively with employees, applicants, insurance carriers and brokers, managers, and customers. 
• Highly meticulous, organized, ability to work on multiple tasks and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to project a friendly, upbeat, and approachable personality and work cooperatively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments.
• Ability to follow all safety and attendance policies and procedures of Hunger Mountain Co-op.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, if necessary, based on business needs. 

Desired:

• Knowledge of natural foods retail industry.
• Experience in a union environment.

Updated March 2025