Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

GEA Group's Corporate HR Team, located in Columbia, is searching for a dynamic Benefits Specialist to join our team! The Benefits Specialist will focus on supporting GEA's HR Benefits Team with health and wellness programs, managing leave of absence administration, handling benefits data and reporting, performing billing reconciliation, supporting retirement programs, administering spending accounts, processing HSA employer funding, and assisting with enrollment changes and benefit support. The role will play a critical part in ensuring our benefits programs are administered accurately and efficiently while serving as a resource for employee support and questions.

This is an onsite role in our office, but we do offer a hybrid schedule of 4 days in-office and 1 day remote.

Responsibilities :

• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for employees with questions or concerns about benefits, providing guidance and support with a focus on clear and effective communication.
• Maintain and manage internal ticketing system with employee inquiries.
• Administer leave of absence (LOA) processes, including FMLA, ADA, and company-specific leave policies.
• Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies.
• Track, document, and report on all LOA activity to support HR, payroll, and compliance requirements.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain benefits data, ensuring data integrity and accuracy across all HR systems. Proficiency in v-look up and pivot tables.
• Prepare and distribute regular and ad hoc reports on benefits enrollment, utilization, and trends.
• Conduct monthly reconciliation of benefits billing, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefits plans.
• Resolve discrepancies by working with vendors, payroll, and finance teams to ensure accurate billing and payments.
• Maintain detailed records of reconciliations and resolve outstanding issues promptly.
• Assist with administration of spending accounts, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
• Coordinate with third party vendor ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and company policies.
• Process employer contributions for HSAs, monitoring for accuracy and timely funding.
• Provide benefit support for retirees, including assisting with enrollment, changes, and inquiries.
• Coordinate with third-party administrators to ensure retirees receive accurate and timely benefits information.
• Maintain records and documentation related to retiree benefits plans.
• Assist with administration of the company's 401(k) plan, including employee enrollments, contributions, and distributions.
• Collaborate with vendors to resolve any participant issues and ensure compliance with 401(k) regulations.
• Support annual audits, compliance testing, and reporting for the 401(k) plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Your Profile / Qualifications :

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $90,000.00 - $104,000.00 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and / or equity awards.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.