Position Overview

The Total Rewards Manager is responsible for the strategic design, administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of the organization's total rewards programs, including compensation, benefits, wellness, retirement, leave administration, recognition, and employee wellbeing initiatives. This role partners closely with HR leadership to ensure total rewards programs attract, retain, and engage talent while remaining competitive, compliant, and aligned with the organization's financial and business objectives.

The Total Rewards Manager analyzes market trends, evaluates program effectiveness, develops data driven recommendations, manages vendor relationships, and leads key annual compensation and benefits initiatives to enhance the overall employee experience.

Roles and Responsibilities

Benefits, Wellness & Leave Administration

• Manage the organization's employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement, wellness, and voluntary benefits.

• Develop and recommend benefit plan enhancements that balance employee needs, market competitiveness, and organizational budget objectives.

• Evaluate, recommend, and manage relationships with benefit vendors, brokers, and consultants to maximize program effectiveness and value.

• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, communications, employee education, system configuration, and implementation.

• Ensure compliance with all federal and state benefit regulations, required employee notices, and plan documentation.

• Oversee benefit billing reconciliation, eligibility administration, and data integrity within HRIS and payroll systems.

• Provide guidance to employees and managers regarding benefit eligibility, plan provisions, and enrollment.

• Manage wellness initiatives and oversee the strategic allocation of wellness funding to support employee engagement and wellbeing.

• Develop benefit communication strategies that improve employee understanding and utilization of available programs.

• Manage all federal and state leave of absence and disability programs, including FMLA, ADA, Paid Family Leave, and other applicable leave programs, partnering with Environmental Health & Safety on Workers' Compensation administration as appropriate.

• Administer COBRA compliance and vendor oversight.

• Approve and monitor payment of all benefit-related invoices.

401(k), Compliance Reporting & Audits

• Manages annual mandatory benefits reporting requirements ACA, AAP and 1094/1095c filing, 5500 filing and completion of workers compensation and 401k annual audits.

• Responds to 401(k) inquiries relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts.

• Manages the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.

Compensation & Data Analytics

• Partner with HR leadership to administer and continuously improve the organization's compensation philosophy and programs.

• Lead annual compensation planning processes, including merit increases, incentive programs, promotional increases, and market adjustments.

• Conduct market pricing and compensation benchmarking to ensure competitive and equitable pay practices.

• Analyze internal and external compensation trends and provide recommendations to leadership.

• Support job evaluations, salary structure maintenance, and pay equity initiatives.

• Develop and maintain HR dashboards and workforce analytics related to compensation, benefits, turnover, headcount, and other key metrics.

• Analyze workforce data to identify trends and provide strategic recommendations that support organizational decision-making.

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, technology utilization, and operational efficiencies.

• Ensure the integrity of HR and benefits data through regular audits and quality control activities.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of compensation, benefits, retirement, and leave administration.

• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic recommendations supported by data and market analysis.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization.

• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Strong experience with HRIS systems, preferably ADP Workforce Now.

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state employment and benefits regulations.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in total rewards, benefits, and compensation administration.

• Minimum of 3 years managing comprehensive benefits and compensation programs.

• Demonstrated experience managing annual benefit renewals, vendor relationships, and benefit plan design.

• Strong experience leading ACA reporting, 401(k) administration, Form 5500 filings, and benefit compliance.

• Experience leading compensation planning, salary benchmarking, and market analysis.

• Domestic travel to plant locations approximately 10%.

Supervisory responsibilities (Yes or No)

No

Work environment (Office, Plant, Remote)

Office

Physical demands

Sedentary office work, including prolonged periods of sitting, intensive computer use, and frequent written and verbal communication, with occasional light lifting of up to 15 pounds.

Work authorization/security clearance requirements

Not eligible for visa sponsorship