Benefits Administrator

~ With stores throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, New Seasons Market brings delicious, healthy food from local farmers, producers, ranchers and fishermen to our communities. ~

At the same time, we provide you with choices-at New Seasons, you'll find the best mix of grocery classics and local, organic favorites, from Frosted Flakes® to free-range chicken. And that grocery goodness goes beyond our store's four walls: we're firmly committed to environmental stewardship, to giving back to our community, and to providing a progressive workplace where our staff thrives. But at the end of the day, it's about really good food. And good food makes everyone happy. 

Position Overview

We are seeking candiates for the position of Benefits Administrator. The successful candiate will work in Portland, Oregon.  

Responsibilities 

• Provides support to staff and onsite HR representatives with benefit and leave inquiries.
• Supports and manages the newly benefit eligible orientations.
• Performs monthly reconciliations of employee activity in enrollment, claims, level of benefits eligibility, etc., and audits records to assure consistency and accuracy. 
• Monitors and maintains the HRIS system as it relates to benefits and leave of absence.
• Electronically files benefit-related paperwork. 
• Manages plan committee meeting schedules.
• Manages the 401(k) audit and all plan testing, including ACA.
• Oversees the 5500 filing process.
• Pays all plan expenses, including transitional reinsurance fees and PCORI.
• Manages the Open Enrollment process annually.
• Facilitates trainings related to benefits.
• Supports the Benefits and Compensation Manager on special projects. 
• Maintains awareness of current HR projects. May support projects outside of daily scope of work.
• Participates in HR Staff meetings.
• Participates as member of the HR team to deliver objectives.
• Maintains confidentiality of all personnel information. 

Customer Service Responsibilities 

• Delivers exceptional service and demonstrates friendly and attentive behaviors with internal and external customers.
• Adapts service based on customer needs, handles difficult customer situations and seeks solutions to delight the customer.
• Engages the customer in a friendly manner, shares information, assists in locating resources, and seeks opportunities to enhance the customer experience. 

General   

• Responds to and follows through on emails and other communications in a timely manner.
• Models good citizenship through respectful and effective communication in line with company values. Demonstrates a whole company perspective through positive leadership and role modeling. 
• Observes all company rules and policies as listed in the New Seasons Market Staff Handbook and Operations Manual.
• Works collaboratively to maintain a harmonious work environment and resolve issues. Communicates in a professional and constructive manner.
• Demonstrates the ability work efficiently and to manage own time. Adjusts priorities, productivity, efficiency and speed based on needs and conditions of department.
• Responds to feedback in order to improve performance.
• Acts as a steward of company resources and Vision/Mission/Values by training, modeling and promoting sustainable behaviors/operations. 
• Speaks up. Shares ideas and feedback that contributes to success of store and company. 
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned. 

Facilities, Sanitation, Work Safety and Food Safety 

• Adheres to work and food safety policies set forth by the company and regulatory agencies. 
• Performs janitorial tasks in compliance with sanitation standards established by NSM policy and state and local health departments. Contributes to store and office cleanliness. 
• Maintains equipment, informs store/department management of any problems. 
• Reports all safety concerns and work related injuries to management. 

Qualifications 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business or related field required, with 6+ years of benefits experience or equivalent skills and experience.
• Deep understanding of both retirement and health and welfare plan compliance and design.
• Must be friendly, outgoing, energetic and customer-service oriented.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Experience working with complex HRIS systems, preferably Kronos.
• Comfortable in giving presentations and public speaking.
• Experience with project management and process improvement desired.
• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and ability to meet timelines with high quality results.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions. 
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as attention to detail. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality around sensitive information.
• Ability to communicate with a high level of professionalism with staff and vendors.
• Ability to read, understand and follow through on verbal and written instructions. 
• Available to work a varied schedule as required to support benefits priorities. 

Physical Requirements 

• Consistently required to stand, walk, reach, grasp, talk, listen and hear. This may require fine finger manipulations and repetitive motions with hands.
• Frequently required to sit, push and pull, twist and turn and climb stairs.
• Occasionally, position may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, squatting and climbing ladders and/or stepstools. 
• Consistently required to lift up to 10-20 pounds without assistance. 
• Work performed frequently requires light to medium physical strength.
• Consistently required to use near and peripheral vision, in addition to depth perception. 

Work Environment 

• Office environment. 
• Typically, maintains a moderate noise level. 
• Working with exposure to dust, mold, gluten, fragrances and other fumes and airborne particles, fresh fruits, vegetables, house plants, and flowers.
• Working in proximity to and using common commercial cleaning agents.