Benefits Analyst

Established in 1919 and traded on the NYSE, Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium automotive replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair, and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket. Additionally, SMP provides customized solutions for vehicle control and thermal management products in diversified end markets represented by its Engineered Solutions segment. Globally, SMP employs over 6,000 employees across nearly 40 manufacturing, distribution, and engineering facilities and offices located in North America, Europe and Asia.

SMP sells its products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and other Latin American countries.

The Benefits Analyst is responsible for administering and coordinating the organization's employee benefits programs, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, HSA/FSA, and other voluntary benefit offerings. This role serves as the primary point of contact for employee benefits inquiries and plays a critical role in ensuring data accuracy through routine auditing of benefits records and HRIS data. The ideal candidate brings a strong analytical mindset, advanced Excel proficiency, working knowledge of SQL, and experience using Dayforce (Ceridian) or a comparable HRIS platform.

• Benefits Administration
  • Administer day-to-day operations of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and supplemental voluntary benefits.
  • Process enrollments, qualifying life event (QLE) changes, and terminations in a timely and accurate manner within the HRIS (Dayforce preferred).
  • Coordinate open enrollment each year, including but not limited to system configuration with Benefits Manager and/or HRIS advisor, employee communications, and vendor coordination.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between employees, payroll, and benefit carriers to resolve coverage and claims issues.
  • Process, fund and reconcile weekly, monthly and quarterly benefits invoices, ensuring carrier billing aligns with active enrollments.
• Employee Support & Communication
  • Respond promptly and professionally to employee questions regarding benefit plan options, eligibility, coverage details, and claims processes.
  • Educate new hires on benefit offerings during onboarding and provide guidance throughout the enrollment process.
  • Aid in one-on-one and group benefits education sessions as needed, particularly during open enrollment periods.
  • Escalate complex benefits issues to the appropriate carrier or broker contacts and follow through to resolution.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee data and health information.
  • Assist benefits team with employee wellness initiatives, including planning events and managing the wellness budget.
  • Answer inquiries from employees, internal partners, and external partners.
• Auditing & Data Integrity
  • Perform regular benefits audits using Excel and SQL to identify discrepancies between HRIS data, payroll deductions, and carrier enrollment records.
  • Build and maintain audit workbooks in Excel using advanced functions (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, conditional formatting, data validation) to track enrollment accuracy and flag exceptions.
  • Write and execute SQL queries to extract, validate, and reconcile employee benefits data across HR and payroll systems.
  • Partner with payroll to audit benefit deductions annually, and on an ad hoc basis correcting errors and initiating retroactive adjustments when necessary.
  • Document audit findings, track remediation steps, and present summary reports to the Benefits Manager and HR leadership.
• HRIS & Reporting
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for benefits-related configuration and data within Dayforce (Ceridian) or comparable HRIS platform.
  • Generate standard and ad hoc reports from the HRIS for the Benefits Manager and broker.
  • Identify system configuration issues that impact benefits enrollment or deductions and coordinate with HR, the HRIS and Payroll teams for resolution.
  • Maintain data integrity by regularly reviewing employee records, benefit elections, and plan codes in the HRIS.
  • Support implementation of new benefit modules, system upgrades, or HRIS migrations as needed.
• Compliance & Vendor Management
  • Coordinate COBRA administration with third-party administrators, ensuring timely notices and accurate election tracking.
  • Support annual non-discrimination testing, 5500 filings, and other required reporting with data pulls and documentation.
  • Maintain vendor relationships and participate in carrier/broker meetings to stay current on plan performance and market trends.

Required

• Minimum 2 - 4 years of experience in benefits administration or a related HR role with direct…