Benefits Manager, Barnes Industrial, North America

BarnesWORX Community - a new and alternative way to work at Barnes. BarnesWORX Community provides a pool of new and specialized skillsets (similar to freelance talent) that can be engaged and leveraged to work on new product developments, advanced programs, and innovative projects to support the growth of the company. Join the BarnesWORX Community and become part of a flexible workforce that allows you to use your specialized skills and capabilities on project-based assignments that truly make a difference. This role is responsible for assisting in the setup and management of health, wellness, and benefit plans for Barnes Industrial businesses in North America. This role is an individual contributor reporting to Human Resource Operations Leaders.

Key Objectives of this Role

Manage the health, wellness, and benefit plans for the Barnes Industrial Businesses in North America. This role is an individual contributor role reporting to HR Operations Leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and manage all employee benefits programs and policies, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, wellness initiatives, ERISA-qualified and non-qualified savings plans, and voluntary offerings.
• Manage third-party vendors and benefit consultants; Lead negotiations with brokers, vendors, and administrators to secure competitive plans, rates, and options.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for benefit vendors and insurance carriers and acts as an employee advocate in troubleshooting escalated benefit issues and resolving disputes with insurance carriers.
• Manages the Annual Open Enrollment process including the review and renewal, coordinating with the HRIS team, setting the open enrollment calendar, employee communications, participation in the preparation of benefit educational materials and presentations.
• Facilitate inbound and outbound benefit vendor interfaces and transmittals, including file errors and resolution (Fidelity, HSA Bank, Businessolver, etc.)
• Partner with finance to reconcile and audit monthly invoices across all benefit providers; ensure accurate billing and timely payments.
• Serve as primary point of contact for leave of absence administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, and disability policies in partnership with the administrator(s).
• Manage eligibility, contributions, loans, and distributions for 401(k) and non-qualified retirement plans, ensuring all operations adhere to compliance standards, i.e. NDT testing, True-Up, Secure 2.0, etc.
• Collaborate with Finance, Payroll, and Legal teams to ensure accurate reporting, plan funding/premium payments, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Manages all audits and regulatory filings associated with the Company's benefit programs (ex. HIPAA, SARs, 5500 filings, ACA reporting, etc.).
• Maintains/updates benefit plan legal documentation, as required (Plan Documents, ERISA Wraps, SPDs).
• Lead benefit communication efforts including new hire orientation, open enrollment, and ongoing employee education campaigns.
• Stay informed of industry trends, market benchmarks, and regulatory changes to ensure benefit offerings remain competitive and compliant.
• Continuously evaluate internal processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance employee engagement.
• Performs and presents data and financial analyses related to the design, delivery and ongoing evaluation of benefits programs to assess effectiveness and quality of plans of current programs and those of potential merger and acquisition programs.
• Periodic Travel is required to locations within the United States estimated at 15%.

Skills & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience managing health and welfare benefits (including workers' compensation)
• Proven experience with benefit compliance, audits, filings, and plan administration.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint skills required.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms and vendor data interface systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and manage external vendor relationships.
• Self-starter with strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage confidential information with integrity.
• Analytical thinker with a process improvement mindset and the ability to drive initiatives independently.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet required deadlines

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in HR related field or equivalent work experience preferred.

Functional Expert - Considered a thought leader on a subject
Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Self-Starter - Inspired to perform without outside help

Bachelors of Art of Human Resources (preferred)
Bachelors of Business Administration (preferred)

2 years: Familiarity with HRIS platforms and vendor data interface systems (preferred)
3 years: Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint (preferred)
4 years: Proven experience with benefits compliance, audits, filing and plan administration (required)
5 years: Prior years of experience managing health and welfare benefits (including workers compensation) (required)

Certified Benefits Prof. (preferred)

Skills