Excellence. Pride. Integrity. Compassion. Trust. Are you ready to plant your career in a place where words like these serve as the foundation for doing business every day? At Michigan Sugar, our purpose is Making Life Sweeter, and our mission is Creating Growth and Opportunity.
Michigan Sugar Company has an immediate full-time opportunity for a Benefits and Retirement Plan Administrator, located at the Corporate Office, Bay City, MI.
Job Summary
As a Benefits and Retirement Plan Administrator, you will play a pivotal role in managing employee benefits and retirement plans within the organization. You will be responsible for ensuring that employee benefit programs are administered efficiently and accurately, providing valuable support to both employees and management. Your role will involve handling various aspects of benefits administration, including enrollment, compliance, communication, and retirement plan management.
Primary Responsibilities
Benefits Administration:
- Coordinate and administer all aspects of employee benefits programs, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and other voluntary benefits.
- Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations accurately and in a timely manner.
- Respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits coverage, eligibility, and claim procedures.
- Collaborate with insurance providers, brokers, and vendors to resolve issues and ensure smooth administration of benefits programs.
- Maintain accurate records of employee benefits, participation, and transactions.
Retirement Plan Management:
- Oversee the administration of the organization's retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, pension plans, or other retirement savings programs.
- Process retirement plan enrollments, contributions, distributions, loans, and other transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Monitor retirement plan compliance with federal and state regulations, including ERISA, IRS, and DOL requirements.
- Coordinate annual retirement plan audits and compliance testing.
- Educate employees about retirement plan options, investment choices, and retirement planning strategies.
Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies governing employee benefits and retirement plans.
- Prepare and distribute required compliance notices, disclosures, and reports to employees and regulatory agencies.
- Assist in preparing documents and data for government filings, such as Form 5500 and Form 1095-C.
- Stay updated on changes in benefit and retirement plan regulations and communicate relevant updates to stakeholders.
Communication and Education:
- Develop and deliver employee communications related to benefits enrollment, changes, and updates.
- Conduct benefit orientations and educational sessions for new hires and existing employees.
- Provide personalized guidance to employees on benefit options, retirement planning, and financial wellness programs.
- Collaborate with HR and management to develop strategies for enhancing employee understanding and appreciation of benefits offerings.
Vendor Management and Cost Control:
- Evaluate and select benefit vendors, brokers, and service providers based on cost-effectiveness, quality, and service level agreements.
- Negotiate contracts and agreements with benefit vendors to optimize costs and services.
- Monitor benefit plan expenses and participate in budget planning and forecasting processes.
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
- Previous experience in benefits administration, retirement plan administration, or related roles.
- Strong understanding of employee benefits regulations, including ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, and IRS rules.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work efficiently under pressure.
- Proficiency in HRIS software, payroll systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels.
- Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) or Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) designation is a plus.
Key Competencies
- Beyond reproach with ability to manage confidential information
- Excellent customer service skills
- Strong attention to details
- Demonstrate personal leadership and positive can-do attitude.
- Flexible and able to work in fast paced and varying environments.
- Ability to work well with others in a team environment.
- Demonstrate ethics and integrity, display drive and purpose, demonstrate capability to learn, managing self, increasing self-awareness.
- Provide model behavior to demonstrate corporate values.
NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this position. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that may be required. All staff may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as needed.
Michigan Sugar Company offers competitive salary, opportunity for professional growth, and provides excellent medical insurance 100% company paid. A comprehensive benefits package includes: dental and life insurances, 401k match, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and more. To learn more visit www.michigansugar.com.
Michigan Sugar Company was founded in 1906 when six smaller sugar companies merged their operations. In 2002, Michigan Sugar Company became a grower-owned cooperative and in 2004, it merged with Monitor Sugar Company to form the company that exists today.
Michigan Sugar Company is headquartered in Bay City and has sugar beet processing facilities in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing, Michigan. Its nearly 900 grower-owners plant and harvest up to 160,000 acres of sugar beets each year in 20 Michigan counties, as well as Ontario, Canada. Those beets are sliced at the factories and turned into about 1.3 billion pounds of sugar annually.
That sugar is sold to industrial, commercial and retail customers under the Pioneer and Big Chief brands.
Michigan Sugar Company has 930 year-round employees and an additional 1,100 seasonal workers. It is the No. 1 employer in Huron County, the No. 2 employer in Bay and Sanilac counties and the No. 3 employer in Tuscola County. The company’s annual payroll is more than $65 million and its annual local economic impact is about $500 million.
Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest of eight sugar beet processing companies in the United States and Michigan is one of 11 states where sugar beets are grown in the country.
Michigan Sugar Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
