People Operations Generalist in East Syracuse, New York at INFICON

INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes, and complete factories. These analysis, measurement and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of our vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental health and safety.

The HR Generalist is a pivotal member of the People & Culture team, owning the day-to-day administration of INFICONs employee benefits programs while supporting a broader range of HR operations. Benefits is the heart of this role from managing enrollments and vendor relationships to leading Annual Enrollment and ensuring ongoing compliance and the ideal candidate brings both the technical knowledge and the people skills to do it exceptionally well.

This role partners closely with Payroll on benefit processing, onboarding and offboarding, supports Affirmative Action compliance, and contributes to the operational backbone of the People & Culture function. The HR Generalist also leads the onboarding and offboarding process, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience for every employee from day one through their last day. We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, communicates proactively, and genuinely cares about delivering a great experience for every employee they serve.

Primary Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, FSA/HSA, and 401(k) plans.

• Administer the full benefits lifecycle new hire enrollment, qualifying life events, annual Open Enrollment, and off-cycle changes with accuracy and timeliness.

• Lead Open Enrollment planning and execution, including system configuration, employee communications, informational sessions, and post-enrollment audits.

• Manage day-to-day carrier and vendor relationships; resolve eligibility, billing, and claims escalations in a timely manner.

• Partner with Finance to review, reconcile, and process monthly benefits invoices, ensuring accuracy and timely resolution of any discrepancies.

• Administer leave of absence programs (FMLA, short- and long-term disability, parental leave, and state-mandated leaves) in partnership with our third-party leave vendor; serve as the primary liaison between employees, managers, and the vendor to ensure a smooth and compliant leave experience.

• Ensure COBRA administration is handled accurately and in accordance with federal requirements; coordinate with the third-party administrator as applicable.

• Maintain accurate benefits enrollment data in the HRIS; perform regular audits to ensure data integrity across HRIS, payroll, and carrier systems.

• Partner with our broker to develop and distribute employee-facing benefits communications plan summaries, enrollment guides, and policy updates in plain, accessible language.

• Support the annual benefits renewal process, including gathering utilization data, coordinating with the broker, and presenting renewal options to HR leadership.

• Administer wellness programs and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP); promote awareness and utilization across the employee population.

• Ensure benefits plans remain compliant with ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, and other applicable federal and state regulations; lead the annual ACA reporting process and support Form 5500 filings.

General HR & People Operations

• Own the full employee lifecycle from onboarding through offboarding, including new hire orientation, I-9 verification, and exit interviews.

• Maintain employee records and ensure HRIS data accuracy; process changes related to new hires, terminations, promotions, and status updates.

• Partner closely with Payroll on benefits, onboarding, and offboarding activities, ensuring accurate and timely processing across all related workflows.

• Support the companys Affirmative Action Program (AAP), including data collection and analysis, maintenance of required records, coordination of annual AAP updates, and assistance with audit preparation.

• Assist in the development, communication, and maintenance of HR policies.

• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws; assist with HR-related audits and reporting requirements.

• Contribute to People & Culture projects and initiatives as assigned, including process improvement, system implementations, and employee engagement programs.

Required

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 35 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years in a benefits administration role.

• Solid working knowledge of benefits plan types (medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA, COBRA, disability, life insurance, 401(k)) and applicable regulations (ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA).

• Experience managing Open Enrollment end-to-end, including employee communication and HRIS configuration.

• Proficiency with HRIS platforms (Workday, ADP, UKG, or similar); experience with benefits carrier portals.

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to explain complex benefits information clearly and empathetically to employees at all levels.

• High degree of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity.

Preferred

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.

• Experience with Workday HCM, including benefits module configuration.

• Familiarity with multi-state leave administration.

• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, or technology environment.

Core Competencies

• Ownership & Accountability Takes initiative, follows through, and takes responsibility for outcomes.

• Employee Focus Approaches every interaction with empathy and a genuine commitment to the employee experience.

• Analytical Thinking Identifies trends in benefits data and makes recommendations based on findings.

• Collaboration Works effectively across functions Finance, Payroll, Legal, and Operations to deliver seamless HR service.

• Adaptability Comfortable managing shifting priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Continuous Improvement Proactively identifies process inefficiencies and proposes solutions to improve quality and efficiency.

The expected salary range for this position is between $70,000 and $80,000 per year. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. In addition, INFICON employees are eligible for a profit-sharing bonus with a target of 10% as well as 401K match up to 8% (vesting schedule).

INFICON provides a dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees experience ongoing green initiatives, flexible work hours, and a variety of health and wellness programs.

INFICONs forward-thinking approach offers countless opportunities to design, support, and manufacture a diverse product portfolio that expands globally. Our Lean and Agile work environment offers competitive compensation, relocation assistance, a discretionary bonus, and generous employee benefits; major medical, dental, health, vision, 401K, vacation and sick time, tuition reimbursement, and more!

INFICON is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal opportunity to all job seekers that apply without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, age, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. A notice describing Federal equal employment opportunity laws is available here to reaffirm this commitment. Any contact that would like to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact us.careers@inficon.com.

INFICON, Inc. strictly complies with all aspects of the Export Administration Regulations ('EAR'), including those sections dealing with deemed exports to foreign nationals.