Benefits and Compensation Manager

Benefits and Compensation Manager at Sunstar Americas, Inc.

The Benefits and Compensation Manager is responsible for the administration, compliance, strategy, and day-to-day operations of the organization’s compensation and benefits programs. This role manages employee benefit plans, leads compensation analysis and market benchmarking efforts, ensures proper payroll and vendor funding processes, partners with Finance and HR on compliance reporting requirements, and provides employees with guidance and support regarding benefit and compensation-related inquiries.

• Administers employee insurance programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits and COBRA.
• Administers and manages open enrollment, including communication materials, employee education, and system updates.
• Ensures accuracy of all benefits enrollments and qualifying life event changes in HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility and billing information.
• Administers employee savings and wellness programs, including 401(k), HSA, FSA, COBRA, legal services, and other voluntary benefit offerings.
• Facilitates accurate and timely delivery of employer contributions and employee payroll deductions to carriers and plan administrators.
• Advises and informs employees of eligibility, coverage changes, benefit provisions, and claim resolution processes.
• Administers and manages all leave-of-absence programs including FMLA, ADA, short-term and long-term disability, and personal leave.
• Conducts benefits surveys, demographic analysis, and census reporting to support vendor selection and renewal decisions based on quotes and available benefits.
• Assists with new-hire orientations.
• Responds to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Responds to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manages the annual catch‑up contribution enrollment.

• Conducts job analysis and maintains accurate and current job descriptions, salary grades and job codes.
• Manages compensation structures, salary bands, and job classification updates in the HRIS.
• Participates in compensation and salary surveys to evaluate internal equity and external market competitiveness.
• Provides recommendations for compensation adjustments, market alignment, and incentive plan improvements.
• Maintains awareness of labor market conditions and compensation trends.

• Manages monthly billing, reporting, and vendor audits for benefits providers (e.g., Empower, ARAG, Lincoln Financial, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Inspira COBRA, Equifax Unemployment).
• Supports system integrations and data file transfers between HRIS (UKG), payroll systems, and third‑party vendors.
• Partners with Accounts Payable to ensure timely payment and reconciliation of benefit invoices.
• Monitors vendor performance and ensures compliance with service‑level expectations.

• Ensures compliance with COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA, and ACA regulations.
• Administers Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting, including annual issuance and distribution of 1095‑C forms.
• Participates in the annual 401(k) audit process; reviews and submits the annual Form 5500 by working with vendor.
• Monitors administrators’ and insurance carriers’ reports to ensure the organization’s compliance with plan requirements.
• Completes records, reporting, and other documentation required by federal, state, and provider rules, regulations, and policies.

• Performs quality checks of benefits and compensation data within the HRIS.
• Partners in the development and maintenance of HRIS workflows related to benefits, compensation, life events, and new‑hire onboarding.
• Supports implementation and optimization of ERP or related HR/payroll system integrations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related required.
• Five years of experience administering compensation or benefits programs required.
• SHRM‑CP or SHRM‑SCP preferred.

• Extens…