What are the responsibilities and job description for the HR Benefits Specialist- Remote within the Fairlawn, OH area position at OEConnection?
OEC provides software solutions to those who work in the automotive parts and repair industry. Our solutions make it easier for automotive industry professionals to buy and sell parts, conduct repair research & planning, optimize estimates, improve the parts supply chain, and more. OEC partners with many of the world’s largest manufacturers, dealers and suppliers, shops and repairers, and service providers, giving our customers access to a comprehensive network and a streamlined workflow.
Job Summary/Objective
Administers day-to-day work associated with benefit programs and performance-based incentive plans for the USA and Canada. Coordinates the global Annual Incentive Plan program. Ensures welfare and retirement programs are compliant with company policies and applicable government regulations. Manages leaves of absences for the USA and Canada. Serves as OEC’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for benefits, wellness programs, and leaves of absences.
Key Responsibilities & Duties (essential to the job)
1. Administers USA and Canada benefit programs. Serves as OEC’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) on benefits and provides guidance and recommendations to leadership to support decision making in a way that balances the needs of the business with the needs of the employees, while also considering compliance requirements.
2. Manages family and medical leaves of absences for the USA and Canada. Coordinates leave approvals with OEC’s external vendor partner, and provides support as needed to employees. Works closely with Payroll to ensure leave time is tracked and paid appropriately.
3. Leads the annual open enrollment process for USA and Canada, including facilitating meetings with brokers and HR/Finance leadership, coordinating implementation of new or changing benefits with HRIS, Payroll, and external vendor partners, developing and implementing an employee communication plan, answering employee questions, auditing enrollments, and other related work.
4. Receives and responds to escalated employee questions/concerns that are sensitive or complex in nature.
5. Supports the OEC 401K Committee and conducts required Non-Discrimination testing.
6. Designs, recommends, and implements wellness programs for all employees in the USA and Canada in support of the company’s business needs and Guiding Principles.
7. Prepares and disseminates employee communications that promote the value of programs and ensures appropriate understanding by employees. Collaborates with the Learning & Development team on developing and launching a variety of educational content related to benefits and wellness programming.
8. Develops, nurtures, and maintains strong working relationships with third-party vendors utilized by the company to deliver quality benefits and leave of absence programs.
9. Serves as the main point of contact for auditors; prepares, collects and organizes data for internal/external audits.
10. Partners with Sales and Finance to develop and execute on commission, Management by Objective (MBO), and other performance-based incentive plans. Facilitates execution of the global Annual Incentive Plan, including making Plan updates, assigning employees to the correct plan, and working with payroll and global HR teams on bonus payments.
11. Manages and files all required benefit-related compliance filings including 5500s, Medicare, and ACA reporting.
12. Keeps current on health & welfare and retirement market trends and best practices. Remains current on constantly changing laws and regulations, ensuring that OEC’s programs and policies are compliant.
Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required, with a focus in Human Resources, Business, or related discipline. In the absence of a degree, equivalent work experience directly related to the key responsibilities of the role will be considered as a substitute for the degree.
Experience, Skills and Key Competencies
At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience coordinating benefits and leave of absence programs, to include prior success leading open enrollments, and proven knowledge of laws and regulations that govern benefit plans and family/medical leaves (e.g. ERISA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, SECURE Act, state and province leave laws, IRS rules on 401k and FSA plans, etc.).
Must also be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
OEConnection is subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these laws, we invite applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race and ethnicity. Submission of this information is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. The information obtained will be kept confidential and may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable laws, executive orders, and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement. When reported, data will not identify any specific individual. This information will be maintained separately from your application for employment. If you do not wish to self-identify at this time, you may do so in the future by submitting this form. Failure to provide the following information will not subject you to any adverse action or treatment. OEConnection is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.
Job Summary/Objective
Administers day-to-day work associated with benefit programs and performance-based incentive plans for the USA and Canada. Coordinates the global Annual Incentive Plan program. Ensures welfare and retirement programs are compliant with company policies and applicable government regulations. Manages leaves of absences for the USA and Canada. Serves as OEC’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for benefits, wellness programs, and leaves of absences.
Key Responsibilities & Duties (essential to the job)
1. Administers USA and Canada benefit programs. Serves as OEC’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) on benefits and provides guidance and recommendations to leadership to support decision making in a way that balances the needs of the business with the needs of the employees, while also considering compliance requirements.
2. Manages family and medical leaves of absences for the USA and Canada. Coordinates leave approvals with OEC’s external vendor partner, and provides support as needed to employees. Works closely with Payroll to ensure leave time is tracked and paid appropriately.
3. Leads the annual open enrollment process for USA and Canada, including facilitating meetings with brokers and HR/Finance leadership, coordinating implementation of new or changing benefits with HRIS, Payroll, and external vendor partners, developing and implementing an employee communication plan, answering employee questions, auditing enrollments, and other related work.
4. Receives and responds to escalated employee questions/concerns that are sensitive or complex in nature.
5. Supports the OEC 401K Committee and conducts required Non-Discrimination testing.
6. Designs, recommends, and implements wellness programs for all employees in the USA and Canada in support of the company’s business needs and Guiding Principles.
7. Prepares and disseminates employee communications that promote the value of programs and ensures appropriate understanding by employees. Collaborates with the Learning & Development team on developing and launching a variety of educational content related to benefits and wellness programming.
8. Develops, nurtures, and maintains strong working relationships with third-party vendors utilized by the company to deliver quality benefits and leave of absence programs.
9. Serves as the main point of contact for auditors; prepares, collects and organizes data for internal/external audits.
10. Partners with Sales and Finance to develop and execute on commission, Management by Objective (MBO), and other performance-based incentive plans. Facilitates execution of the global Annual Incentive Plan, including making Plan updates, assigning employees to the correct plan, and working with payroll and global HR teams on bonus payments.
11. Manages and files all required benefit-related compliance filings including 5500s, Medicare, and ACA reporting.
12. Keeps current on health & welfare and retirement market trends and best practices. Remains current on constantly changing laws and regulations, ensuring that OEC’s programs and policies are compliant.
Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required, with a focus in Human Resources, Business, or related discipline. In the absence of a degree, equivalent work experience directly related to the key responsibilities of the role will be considered as a substitute for the degree.
Experience, Skills and Key Competencies
At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience coordinating benefits and leave of absence programs, to include prior success leading open enrollments, and proven knowledge of laws and regulations that govern benefit plans and family/medical leaves (e.g. ERISA, COBRA, ACA, FMLA, SECURE Act, state and province leave laws, IRS rules on 401k and FSA plans, etc.).
Must also be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and can build and nurture strong relationships across all levels of leadership and with external brokers and vendors.
- Can effectively organize and manage day-to-day work and priorities, and use time, energy and resources to meet goals, deadlines, and deliverables.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to deliver innovative solutions against program design(s) and restrictive governmental regulations.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Able to communicate in a respectful, positive and constructive manner, even during times of challenge and frustration.
- Excellent planning and organizational skills.
- Can listen to and understand concerns from an employee’s point of view, and respond appropriately, professionally and with compassion.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work, and can easily adjust to shifts in priorities as the needs of the business change.
- Able to effectively work and thrive in a remote/hybrid work environment that has limited opportunities for in-person interactions.
- Occasional travel is expected, and anticipated to be no more than three times per year to attend HR team meetings, attend conferences, or visit other OEC locations
OEConnection is subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these laws, we invite applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race and ethnicity. Submission of this information is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. The information obtained will be kept confidential and may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable laws, executive orders, and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement. When reported, data will not identify any specific individual. This information will be maintained separately from your application for employment. If you do not wish to self-identify at this time, you may do so in the future by submitting this form. Failure to provide the following information will not subject you to any adverse action or treatment. OEConnection is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.
