Manager - Benefits, Health & Welfare
Work Mode: Onsite
Location: Onsite, four days per week – Kohler, WI
Opportunity
This position owns the development and evolution of Kohler’s health and welfare strategy, while balancing cost, associate experience, and maintaining compliance. The scope of authority incorporates the suite of health and welfare plan offerings including medical, prescription drug, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability, FMLA, and State Paid leaves. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of administrative procedures and external vendor relationships ensuring they are accurate, cost effective and aligned with and supportive of Company's overall business strategy. Analyzes complex benefit issues including cost sharing philosophy, data privacy and data security. In addition, this position will lead and manage one or more Global Benefits associates who support the US Health & Welfare function.
Specific Responsibilities
- Serves as program manager for all Health and Welfare plans in the US. Provides leadership to ensure effective and timely benefit plan design implementation and communication of all new benefit programs and changes. Influences Kohler’s benefits experience and associate retention through benefit designs that aim to meet Associate needs while remaining cost-effective for thecompany.
- Ensures accountability of the disability and leave administration program.
- Oversees implementation and transition of daily processes to support such programs.
- Monitors program effectiveness and additional areas ofopportunity.
- Manages the complexity of ever-changing regulatory environment including State-based paid leave laws and ensures appropriate coordination with company programs.
- Responsible for vendor management including thefollowing:
- Sourcing, evaluating, selecting and preparing recommendations for service providers/vendors that meet both the needs of the Associates and thecompany.
- Assessing vendor performance against pre-established performance standards at leastannually.
- Evaluating annual renewals and develop cost analysis.
- Developing a strategy to ensure the integrity and accuracy of self-funded plans including oversight of periodic third partyaudits.
- In collaboration with the Global Procurement department, review service provider contracts, agreements and other documents to ensure compliance with Kohler Co., standards, provisions and expectations ofperformance.
- Manages the vendor relationship with Prevea who operates the Prevea Kohler Health Center and Premise Health who operates the Kohler Woodlake Pharmacy.
- Responsible for overall reporting and disclosure legal compliance of health and welfare benefit plans to retain favorable tax status of the plans and to avoid financial penalties and potential lawsuits which could bring adverse publicity. This includes review and updatingof all ERISA required documents, e.g., SPDs, SARs, 5500s as well as leading the annual filing and reporting required by the ACA.
- Integrates and analyzes employee benefit data collected from multiple sources,draws conclusions and presents results clearly, succinctly andaccurately.
- Conducts research and analysis in support of benefit plan development and/or modifications. Completes benefits surveys and benchmarking studies asneeded.
- Leads the ongoing modernization of benefits delivery through effective associate communications and education programs for Kohler Co. benefit plans. This includes benefit highlights for recruiting, medical plan SBCs and other statutory notices.
- Serves in a consultative role to Global Shared Services in the administrative management of the health and welfare benefit plans. Provides guidance in areas such as policy interpretation and plan design intent. Also assists with knowledge transfer and resolution of escalated complex benefit issues. Proactively works to ensure continuousimprovement in activities associated with providing benefits toAssociates.
- Provides support to Director – US Benefits on an ongoing and ad hoc basis. Includes support for policy and plan design history and interpretation to ensure clear direction of program intent within the Kohler Co. culture. Assists in monitoring plan performance on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, setting reserves for self-funded plans and maintaining metrics dashboard for use by seniormanagement.
- Provides leadership, support, guidance and direction to other departmentpersonnel. Responsible for the hiring, growth and career development of their direct report(s).
- Assists in the analysis of benefit programs in the event of mergers or acquisitions. Includes development of comprehensive inventory of current plans, providers, costs, etc. Develops recommendation for plan integration andtimetable.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Skills/Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or advanced degree preferred in Finance, HR, or general business.
- CEBS or CBP designation or course work toward designation desired.
- 8 years benefits administration or planningexperience.
- Excellent written and oral communicationabilities.
- Proven history of successful benefits implementations andcommunications.
- Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-makingabilities.
- Ability to work effectively on multiple tasks and manage internal and externalresources.
- Ability to recognize and evaluate micro and macro impacts when developing solutions or makingrecommendations.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively influence the actions and decisionsof managers, Associates andvendors.
- Current knowledge of benefit trends, issues and legislation affecting Health and Welfare plans.
- Strong results orientation and demonstrated project managementskills.
- Demonstrated ability to professionally manage and lead one or more associates utilizing internal talent management resources and annual programming.
#LI-CM2
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period.
The salary range for this position is $113,150 - $175,150. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
