Manager Total Rewards

Manager of Compensation and Benefits

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, Fairway Markets and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best in class procurement practices.

About You

Your contribution:

The Manager of Compensation and Benefits is responsible for creating, evolving, implementing and managing the organization’s benefits and compensation strategy with a Total Rewards mindset. This includes oversight of health insurance programs, retirement plans/401(k), salary administration, short term and long term incentive programs and leave of absence policies ensuring these programs are aligned with the company’s goals, while remaining competitive and meeting all compliance standards. This role leads a team of knowledgeable benefit, leave of absence and compensation specialists who are customer-focused, highly engaged and responsive to the needs of all company associates.

This role will also oversee the Human Capital Management (HCM) system by ensuring it effectively supports the organization's total rewards strategy, including all aspects of benefits enrollment, leave of absence and compensation management and collaborate with technical partners to implement system updates and maintain compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, they are responsible for analyzing system data to provide insights and reports that inform strategic decisions and improve overall HR processes. This position is located in Edison, NJ.

What you will do:

Benefits

• Partners in the design, development and administration of employee benefit programs including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance/AD&D and Executive Benefits plans; wellness programs; 401k plans, retirement and pension plans, flexible spending plans; voluntary benefits; and benefits related to local ordinances and government programs.
• Designs and administers a self-insured health insurance program for non-affiliated corporate and retail associates.
• Ensures full compliance with all state and federal regulations, reporting and filing requirements relating to all benefit plans.
• Ensures plans are competitive from a plan design and administration standpoint and makes recommendations for cost control and service improvements with a keen ability to negotiate with vendors.
• Works closely with insurance brokers and consultants on annual renewals and benefits strategy.
• Maintains records of cost of benefits and compiles data for cost analysis.
• Manages the open enrollment process for all benefit and 401k programs.
• Builds and maintains relationships with vendors including benefit brokers and service administrators, relating to quality, service agreements, costs/billings, reporting, audits and controls.

Compensation

• Manages all aspects of corporate compensation programs. Develops recommendations for compensation adjustments based on benchmarks and market trends.
• Researches and analyzes published surveys to gather data on positions and total rewards and gauge company's competitive position and industry best practices.
• Maintains the Job Description catalogue, job classifications and salary scales.
• Leads and manages annual compensation projects including all merit and bonus programs as well as forecasting.

Human Capital Management System

• Manages the benefits, leave of absence and compensation components of a Human Capital Management (HCM) System including but not limited to system plan and process creation for total rewards, benefits enrollment, life change events, compensation and performance management
• Strategically engages with technical partners to ensure system application updates are effectively executed and meet all compliance standards.
• Assists with determination of the system scope in consultation with the rest of the HR Leadership team to ascertain organizational needs
• Oversees planning and implementation of compensation, leave of absence and benefits required HCM system changes; designs system specifications and works with HCM vendor programmers to develop, enhance, and/or modify the HCM systems as needed.
• Documents all modifications all compensation and benefits HCM processes and drives best-practice processes.
• Prepares reports and analyses as necessary.
• Oversees the testing of the compensation and benefits system for upgrades, data conversation, and implementation of interfaces with other systems.
• Monitors the HCM system to ensure proper function in assigned area of responsibility.
• Conducts training with staff as necessary.
• Serves as the HCM administrator for compensation and benefits, which includes updating of code tables, benefit plans, attendance plans, etc.
• Serves as the one of the main points of contact between the Human Resources Department, Payroll, IT, and the vendor for employment information system issues.
• Ensures third party data transmission and file feed accuracy and compliance

Leave of Absence

• In coordination with Human Resources, supports the execution of all Leaves of Absences, including employee communications, legal compliance, and management of leave tracking
• Ensures policies regarding Leaves of Absence remain current and compliant, and that procedures regarding leaves and benefit continuation are consistently applied and effectively communicated.

Strategic Leadership

• Leads a team to oversee and administer all benefits, leave and compensation activities such as open enrollment, and salary planning etc. throughout each stage of the associate lifecycle.
• Ensures that our benefits, leave and compensation programs support the company's strategic objectives
• Conducts regular market research to benchmark salaries, Total Reward benefit packages and industry best practices to provide attractive and competitive programs in accordance with social and industry trends.
• In partnership with Finance, develops and manages the annual benefits and compensation budget and related planning activities, identifying cost saving opportunities related to benefit offerings, salary planning, merit and promotional increases etc. and provides leadership with data needed to understand trends and budget impacts.
• Manages the communications related to employee benefits and compensation activities, including preparing and conducting presentations and proposals for Leadership, WFC Committees and the Board of Directors.
• Educates and serves as a strategic and operational partner to HR and Leadership on benefits and compensation programs, current best practices and trends and coordinates the communications and training of such programs.
• Establishes high-performance expectations and ensures alignment of team and individual goals with overall business objectives. Coaches and holds direct reports accountable for achieving results.
• Strong team player, collaborator and networker who builds collaborative cross-functional relationships that promote engagement, inclusion and belonging.
• Ability to influence others through strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills.

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree in Business Management or Human Resources preferred.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) preferred.
• Experience implementing and maintaining a Human Capital Management Solution or HRIS system, Dayforce/Ceridian experience a plus.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in design, analysis, communication and administration of benefits and compensation including people-management experience.
• Proficient in managing self-insured group health plans.
• Strong aptitude for technical applications including various compensation and benefit software programs and HCM solutions.
• Results-driven with a high level of professionalism, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Creatively challenges the status quo to find new ways of working. Adapts well to new work, technologies and processes.

How you will succeed:

Leadership Competencies

• Think Strategically: Create a compelling vision, develop a strategy and empower others to achieve it
• Influence Others: The ability to effectively collaborate, inspire, persuade and align others
• Drive Change: Create the vision and drive the momentum for change
• Talent Planning: Build organizational and associate capability to achieve business goals
• Take Accountability: Drive a culture of ownership throughout the organization
• Inclusive Leadership: Role model inclusive leadership to leverage diversity

Company Perks:

• Vibrant Food Centric Culture
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision package
• Competitive Salary and Paid Time Off
• Fitness Reimbursement and Well-Being Program
• Corporate Training and Development University
• Collaborative team environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401K
• Matching Gifts and Community Volunteer Involvement