Benefits Specialist

About This Role

This Benefits Specialist position at Ocean State Job Lot plays a strategic and operational role in administering, analyzing, and optimizing the company's comprehensive associate benefits portfolio. The role manages the day-to-day operations and administration of health, dental, life, disability, 401(k), COBRA, FSA, and wellness programs. It ensures seamless enrollment, fiscal accuracy, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and strong vendor performance while providing exceptional customer service to associates and stakeholders across corporate, distribution center, and store business landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison for third-party benefits vendors and providers (e.g., medical, dental, 401(k), COBRA, FSA)
• Audit vendor performance against service level agreements and exercise independent authority to resolve underperformance, billing discrepancies, and administrative disputes
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date associate benefit records and oversee efficient enrollment and claims handling processes
• Lead quarterly and recurring audits of benefits administration and payroll systems to ensure benefit deductions, elections, and vendor charges are accurately and timely reconciled
• Oversee the reconciliation process for monthly billings and vendor charges to maintain data integrity and fiscal accountability
• Lead and coordinate the annual "Open Enrollment" process across all locations, including developing communication strategies, materials, and project timelines
• Manage the launch, rollout, and change-management communication of new benefit offerings to supply chain associates, store associates, and corporate teams
• Evaluate current benefit offerings, analyze associate feedback and data, and recommend improvements
• Provide outstanding customer service by addressing associate inquiries and serving as a subject matter expert for complex benefit issues
• Advise management on benefit-related matters, policies, and procedures
• Partner with internal teams (e.g., Legal, Payroll) to resolve sensitive benefit claims, formal complaints, or complex inquiries while mitigating risk
• Serve as the functional subject matter expert for the Benefits Administrator Module within the HRIS platform
• Utilize various software tools for data reconciliation, financial modeling, and reporting
• Maintain a deep understanding of relevant state and federal laws (including ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, and ACA) to ensure all plans and administrative procedures remain fully compliant
• Support leadership by acting as a point of contact and lead for benefit-related decision-making in the absence of departmental management as needed

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combined education and progressive experience)