Benefits Specialist at Farmer's Fridge Careers – Chicago, Illinois

Farmer’s Fridge makes fruits and vegetables accessible and approachable for everyone. We offer a variety of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks through our fresh food vending machines, wholesale partners, and our office pantry solution — providing chef-curated meals to customers within seconds. Today, we operate a network of Fridges and partner with clients nationwide in high-foot-traffic areas, such as airports, hospitals, universities, and large office buildings — where there is limited accessibility to fresh, healthy, grab-n-go options.

We care deeply about what we’re creating and aspire to make sure our customers feel that through every touchpoint. This shows up in many ways across the business. We are committed to prioritizing food safety, we are passionate about product quality, we value our employees, we champion the best idea no matter where it comes from, and we’re committed to making an overall positive impact as we scale.

About this Role:

As the Benefits Specialist, you will be responsible for administering and managing employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave policies, and wellness initiatives. You'll ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, support employees with benefits-related inquiries, and works closely with HR, payroll, brokers, and external vendors to deliver a seamless and cost-effective benefits experience.

What You’ll Do:

• Administer employee benefits programs such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and retirement plans
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and issue resolution
• Coordinate benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations in HRIS systems
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, COBRA, FMLA)
• Own and lead the full lifecycle of the annual open enrollment process, from planning and system configuration through employee communication, enrollment support, and post-enrollment reconciliation and reporting
• Reconcile benefits billing and partner with payroll to ensure accurate deductions
• Partner with brokers and carriers to evaluate plan performance and market competitiveness
• Negotiate carrier rates, renewals, and plan terms to optimize cost and coverage
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new benefits carriers and programs
• Coordinate carrier transitions, including system updates, employee communications, and enrollment setup
• Analyze benefits utilization and costs; recommend enhancements or cost-saving strategies
• Maintain accurate benefits records and documentation
• Assist in developing and communicating benefits policies and procedures

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 4-6 years of experience in benefits administration or HR
• Strong knowledge of benefits regulations and compliance requirements
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems, preferably UKG
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• High attention to detail and organizational skills
• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) or similar certification
• Experience working with brokers and third-party administrators
• Experience managing carrier implementations or RFP processes
• Advanced Excel or data analysis skills

The base salary range for this role is $68,000– $75,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for company performance-based bonuses and equity.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)
• 401(k) with immediate employer match vesting
• Paid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years of service
• Employee discounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:

In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates. We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we’ve done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback.

Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.

Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach. Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service.

Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company’s bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.

Farmer’s Fridge Diversity Statement:

"Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Farmer’s Fridge, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.”

Farmer’s Fridge is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. View our disclosures related to External Agencies and Applicants below: https://www.farmersfridge.com/careerdisclosures