Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Job Summary
The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and administration of employee benefit programs. This role requires a strong understanding of payroll regulations, benefits plans, and HR/payroll systems. The Specialist will provide excellent customer service to employees, ensuring accurate and timely responses to inquiries related to payroll and benefits.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Processes payroll to ensure timely and accurate transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
- Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
- Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices.
- Opens and closes state tax accounts as necessary.
- Facilitates audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
- Manage employee benefit programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plans.
- Conducts new hire benefit orientations and assist with enrolling employees in benefit plans.
- Processes benefit changes, including enrollments, terminations, and status changes.
- Works directly with our benefits broker in evaluating and comparing existing benefits with those of other employers by analyzing other plans, and other sources of information.
- Manages the annual 401(k) audit, year-end census for testing and employer true-up contribution.
- Reconciles benefit invoices and processes for payment.
- Maintains knowledge of mandated benefits and best practices.
- Manages open enrollment and ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
- Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
- Assists employees regarding benefits questions.
- Oversees administration of all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork.
- Effectively interprets FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Extensive knowledge of employee benefits, payroll, and compensation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Thorough knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and ERISA requirements.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS’s, and data reporting. CheckWriter’s experience a plus.
- HRIS implementation experience preferred.
- Ontario Canada payroll and benefits experience a plus.
Education and Experience:
- Degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent experience required.
- A minimum of five years of experience administering payroll and benefit programs required.
About Us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.