Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administering and managing an organization's employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. This role ensures these programs are current, compliant, and competitive, while also assisting employees with enrollment, claims, and general inquiries.

ND Paper is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pulp, paper, and packaging products in the United States, generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited – the largest container board producer in the world – ND Paper is part of a global network committed to excellence and innovation. With two integrated pulp and paper mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin, a packaging plant in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and two sheeting facilities in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and Fairmont, West Virginia, the ND Paper family produces nearly one million tons of products annually.

Our 1,100 dedicated employees are the heart of our operations, and we are committed to fostering positive work environments where individuals can advance and thrive. At ND Paper, we are investing in our future, and that starts with our staff.

• Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
• Managing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of employee benefits programs, such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans.
• Regularly review, reconcile, and prepare carrier invoices for benefits programs, ensuring accurate submission to Finance for payment and reporting.
• Assisting new employees with the enrollment process and ensuring accurate data entry as well as assisting with the annual Open Enrollment process, including the preparation of communication materials, system configuration in the HRIS, and coordination with third-party vendors to ensure a seamless experience.
• Educating employees about their benefits options, changes to plans, and how to utilize their benefits.
• Helping employees navigate the claims process and resolve any issues related to their benefits.
• Staying up-to-date on relevant regulations and ensuring the organization's benefits programs comply with all applicable laws and guidelines.
• Providing guidance and interpretation of benefits policies and procedures to employees and management
• Interacting with insurance brokers, benefits carriers, and other vendors to ensure smooth operations and effective plan management.
• Analyzing benefits data, preparing reports, and identifying trends to improve program effectiveness
• Assisting employees with retirement planning, including understanding their options and managing their retirement accounts.
• Supporting and promoting employee wellness programs and initiatives.
• Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries regarding benefits, providing timely and accurate information and resolution of issues.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local benefits regulations (e.g., ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA); manage ACA tracking and assist with 1095-C preparation and distribution.
• Assist with benefits administration processes including payroll deductions, benefit arrears, and invoice reconciliation, partner with finance and payroll teams for accurate reporting.
• Analyze benefits utilization and employee engagement metrics to measure program effectiveness and inform strategy.
• Collaborate with HR team on benefits-driven recruitment and retention initiatives; support the preparation of the annual benefits budget.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records with all benefits vendors and internal systems.
• Deliver ongoing employee support, and communication to drive awareness and understanding of available benefit offerings.

• Benefit inquiry response time
• Successfully implementation of open enrollment
• Timely preparation of carrier invoices
• Compliance adherence
• Data accuracy and auditing
• COBRA administration
• LOA and FMLA coordination

• Bachelors degree…