Benefits Manager in Fresno, California at Lyles Services Co.

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for the strategic oversight, design, implementation, and administration of the company health and welfare and retirement benefits programs. The role ensures programs are compliant, cost-effective, and aligned with organizational goals while managing vendor relationships, leading renewal processes, and overseeing benefits operations across multiple entities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee retirement programs including 401(k) plans and maintain familiarity with defined benefit structures.
• Evaluate plan design, cost trends, and utilization to recommend improvements to leadership.
• Ensure benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.
• Present benefits strategy, cost analysis, and recommendations to leadership and finance.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA requirements, including plan document governance and audit readiness.
• Oversee ACA compliance and reporting, including 1094/1095 filings.
• Direct Form 5500 preparation and filing processes.
• Ensure compliance with COBRA regulations and administration.
• Oversee HIPAA privacy requirements as they relate to benefits programs.
• Manage Section 125 cafeteria plans including FSA, HSA, and HRA programs.
• Maintain awareness of federal and California-specific regulatory requirements.
• Own and manage relationships with carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Lead annual renewal processes including data analysis, rate negotiations, and plan recommendations.
• Evaluate vendor performance and hold partners accountable for service delivery.
• Conduct cost/benefit analysis of plan options and present findings to leadership.
• Oversee benefits billing and reconciliation processes across multiple carriers.
• Provide oversight and direction to benefits administration staff.
• Ensure accuracy and efficiency of benefits operations including enrollments, eligibility, and data integrity.
• Oversee open enrollment strategy, execution, and communication.
• Oversee use and optimization of HRIS and benefits administration platforms such as an ERP, carrier portals, TPA systems, and enrollment platforms.
• Partner with finance and HR leadership on budgeting and forecasting related to benefits.
• Communicate complex benefits information to employees in clear and understandable terms.
• Present benefits-related data and recommendations to subsidiary leadership.
• Lead and develop direct reports, providing coaching, accountability, and performance management.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• CEBS certification preferred.
• PHR or SPHR acceptable as an alternative; deep ERISA and ACA operational experience may substitute for either.
• 5-7 years of progressive benefits administration experience.
• 2-3 years of experience in a program ownership or lead role, not solely processing.
• Experience managing full-cycle benefits programs including annual renewal cycles.
• Multi-entity or multi-subsidiary experience preferred.
• Broker relationship management experience, including directing the relationship and not only working alongside the broker.
• Master degree preferred but not required.

Desired Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of ERISA compliance and plan document management.
• ACA reporting experience, including 1094/1095 filing.
• Form 5500 preparation and filing experience.
• COBRA administration and compliance knowledge.
• HIPAA privacy rules as applied to benefits.
• Section 125 cafeteria plan administration, including FSA, HSA, and HRA programs.
• Pension and retirement plan familiarity, including 401(k) and defined benefit basics.
• Direct carrier and TPA relationship management experience.
• Renewal negotiation experience, including ability to evaluate and question rate increases.
• Plan design evaluation and cost/benefit analysis experience presented to leadership.
• Billing reconciliation ownership across multiple carriers.
• ERP and HRIS proficiency, with Vista, Oracle, or Workday experience a plus.
• Benefits administration platform experience, including carrier portals, TPA systems, and enrollment platforms.
• Advanced Excel skills for benefits reporting and reconciliation.
• Ability to communicate complex benefits information to employees in plain language.
• Comfort presenting cost data to subsidiary leadership and finance.
• Supervisory experience with ability to coach and hold direct reports accountable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) preferred.
• PHR or SPHR are acceptable as an alternative.
• A valid California Driver License.

Competencies

• Effective Communication
• Analytical Thinking
• Results Oriented
• Collaboration
• Presentation Skills
• Initiative
• Thoroughness
• Business Acumen
• Conflict Management
• Personal Integrity

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Office - The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Site - While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.