Do it Best · 1 day ago
HR Benefits & Insurance Specialist
Fort Wayne, IN
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expDo it Best is a member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials co-op in the home improvement industry. The HR Benefits & Insurance Specialist will manage and administer benefits programs, ensuring compliance with regulations and optimizing HR processes. This role involves overseeing benefits administration, managing leave processes, and enhancing employee engagement through education initiatives.
Wholesale
Responsibilities
Oversee the administration of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, disability, and wellness initiatives
Analyze benefits utilization and trends to provide recommendations on program enhancements, cost-containment strategies, and employee engagement
Serve as the primary contact for wellness benefits vendors (TPA for healthcare care offerings, third party insurance carriers for life/long-term disability benefits, custodian of HSA accounts, etc.)
Partner with the HR Leadership team through negotiating plan offerings, coordinating renewals, and ensuring competitive benefits programs
Partner with HR leadership to develop and update benefits policies and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., ACA, COBRA, ERISA)
Monitor and track expenses/costs associated with wellness benefits, including health and Rx programs
Manage the end-to-end FMLA and disability leave process, including reviewing employee eligibility, approving/denying claims, and tracking leaves in compliance with applicable laws
Provide guidance and education to employees and managers on leave policies, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and company guidelines
Serve as the point of contact for complex leave cases, working with third-party administrators, legal counsel, and HR leadership as needed
Ensure all documentation, tracking, and reporting are maintained in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
Monitor and apply changes in employment laws related to wellness benefits, leave management, and payroll, ensuring company policies remain compliant
Conduct internal audits on benefits administration, leave tracking, and payroll deductions to identify potential compliance risks
Partner with HR leadership and HR generalists to develop, refine, and enforce policies that align with best practices and legal requirements
Lead employee education initiatives to ensure team members fully understand their benefits and leave options
Develop and implement employee education programs on benefits enrollment, wellness programs, and retirement planning in partnership with Payroll & Benefits Supervisor
Act as a trusted resource for employees, providing guidance on benefits-related inquiries, claims issues, and eligibility concerns
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure clear, transparent, and proactive communication regarding benefit programs and regulatory changes
Lead the coordination of annual open enrollment, including benefits presentations, vendor coordination, and system updates
Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements in benefits administration, compliance tracking, and HRIS processes
Work with HR and IT teams to optimize HR technology, ensuring benefits administration systems are streamlined and user-friendly
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training materials to enhance consistency in benefits and compliance practices
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
3+ years of experience in benefits administration, leave management, or HR compliance
Strong understanding of application of employment laws and regulations (FMLA, ADA, ACA, COBRA, ERISA)
Experience with HRIS and benefits administration platforms (UKG, ADP, Workday, etc.)
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret policies and make independent decisions
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively educate employees and work with stakeholders at all levels
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Preferred
Experience in process improvement and HR technology optimization is a plus
Benefits
Tuition assistance
Company
Do it Best
Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., we are the only U.S.-based, member-owned, comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Doug Roth
Vice President of Finance and CFO
Recent News
Digital Journal
2025-08-17
Springfield Business Journal
2025-02-13
Company data provided by crunchbase