Benefits Specialist

Full Job Description

Maple Lodge Farms is Canada’s largest independently owned poultry processor. It engages in processing and supplying chicken products in Canada and internationally. It offers bacons, deli chicken meats, sliced packaged meats, fresh seasoned chicken, frozen boxed meats, and wieners. Maple Lodge Farms, Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The Benefits Specialist position is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of all group benefits programs (including extended health and dental, disability and worker’s compensation plans, life insurance, travel and accident plan, and retirement plan). This role is also responsible for providing excellent customer service, investigating new benefits programs, recommending improvements to existing programs, assisting in the design of employee benefits plans and providing analytical and technical support in the delivery of the benefit programs. This role is on-site .

What’s in it for you?

• Health benefits with no payroll deduction
• Weekly pay
• Pension plan
• Discount at our Chicken Shop
• Opportunities for career advancement

What you will be doing:

• Research employee benefits plans and vendors to identify those that present the best value. Recommend and implement new benefits programs. Examine possible plan designs and benefits cost changes.
• In conjunction with our benefits consultant, negotiate with vendors and administrators for best plans, options and rates.
• Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators. Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration. Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes. Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims. Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans. Allocate group health and dental claims monthly and reviews quarterly.
• Work closely with the Sr. Manager, Claims and Return to Work on short term disability claims.
• Analyze current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs, and identify the company's position.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect and organize data for actuarial assessments. Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/projections and relevant statistical analyses regarding modifications in benefits programs and implementation of new programs.
• Compensation related activities: evaluate job descriptions; maintenance of job descriptions to ensure changes made by managers are consistent with the template; updating all job descriptions to include job level and appropriate competencies; and administration of Job Evaluation program (keeping files up to date).
• Survey industry trends. Complete benefits surveys and review information obtained from the results. Analyze complex benefits information, forecast trends and assist with future benefits designs. Develop specific recommendations for review by management.
• Monitor administrative costs of benefits programs and recommend cost containment strategies, including alternative methods for administration and funding. Prepare budgetary recommendations and assist in the monitoring, verifying and reconciling of budgeted funds.
• Provide customer service support to internal and external customers. Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to HR associates and associated company employees.

What you will bring:

• Minimum three to five years of related compensation and benefits or employee benefits administration experience required;
• Knowledge of benefits contract language;
• Knowledge of all pertinent government regulations, filing and compliance requirements affecting employee benefits;
• Capability of effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines;
• Team-player with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders;
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs. Ability to evaluate and make judgements on proposals (RFPs);
• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• General computer skills and a technical aptitude (e.g. MS Office, HRIS).
• Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in a related field required.
• CEBS professional designation or working towards is preferred.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants are required to make their needs known in advance.

We thank all applicants for applying however only those chosen will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition Team.