Benefit Specialist

Under direct supervision of the Benefits Director, the Benefits Specialist is expected to exercise a fair amount of independence, initiative, and professional expertise in conducting the day-to-day operations of Sprouts benefits program while ensuring compliance with applicable laws/regulations and financial accountability.

Essential Functions

• Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers
• Responsible to the Director of Human Resources for the coordination of information and assistance to employees, health care providers, and insurance carriers regarding the Sprouts’ benefits plans
• Researches contracts, regulations, laws, and policies to insure compliance of programs and processes that applies to eligibility issues
• Administration and coordination of various Sprouts’ benefits including health insurance, dental, life, vision and other benefits; including enrollment, terminations, additions and changes. Enters all dependent information into HRIS and vendors online systems and updates as necessary
• Provides technical information and instruction regarding benefit coverage and applicable procedures and methods to employees, dependents, and COBRA continuants.  Interprets and explains rules and regulations, answers questions, and resolves problems or complaints
• Maintains health insurance benefits and serves as liaison between employees, insurance companies and physicians
• Researches specific benefits questions by reviewing benefit contracts or calling insurance carriers. Prepares correspondence regarding benefit coverage and/or policy changes and responds to complaints/ problem issues regarding an individual’s claim
• Coordinates all activities related to Sprouts’ Benefits and Wellness programs to include preparing communication, conducting new employee benefits orientations, leading enrollment meetings and benefits fairs
• Coordinates and completes all aspects of open enrollment, calculates employee and Sprouts’ contributions amounts for various insurance plans, prepares enrollment communication and materials, and schedules and conducts employee meetings (this will involve traveling out of state)
• Assists in maintaining Sprout’s employee portal as it relates to Sprouts’ benefits, updates Sprouts’ insurance brochures, prepares insurance packets for new hires, and develops other benefits communications such as payroll stuffers
• Processes and maintains records for 401k program
• Ensures compliance with and provides guidance and assistance to employees with Family Medical Leave, extended leave and ADA and Long-Term Disability issues
• Participates with other Human Resources staff in answering general questions relating to human resources policies, procedures, and operations
• Performs special research and/or reports or projects as assigned by the Human Resources Director to include running queries utilizing Sprouts’ employee database and preparing specialized reports
• Perform monthly billings reconciliations ensuring that Sprouts is accurately being charged the appropriate insurance premiums and submit payment request to Sprouts’ Accounts Payable vendor
• Other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma or GED and at least 3-5 years of experience with a proven track record in benefits administration which includes contract interpretation, claims resolution, reconciling/processing insurance monthly billings
• Must have attention to detail; Strong mathematical and analytical skills and excellent computer skills (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with using HRIS, exceptional time management skills, ability to multi-task
• Dedicated team player who demonstrates initiative and independence
• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures, and principals of human resources and employee benefits administration
• Working knowledge of comprehensive employee benefit programs, including flexible benefits, federal compliance with COBRA and its ramifications, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA
• Ability to track and maintain computer databases and statistics on a wide range of human resource programs, organization, coordination, and communication with attention to detail and accuracy
•  Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate policy and procedures associated with employee benefits
• Must possess good analytical and statistical skills
• Ability to use good judgment and make decisions without direct supervision
• Must treat confidential matters in a proper and professional manner

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Most work is performed in a normal office environment
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment including a computer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machine requiring continuous and repetitive arm, hand and eye movement
• Travel to/from meetings and to various locations

This job may have specific physical demands including, but not limited to, the following: ability to lift up to 75 lbs.; ability to operate machinery with moving mechanical parts; and ability to bend, reach, kneel, squat, stand for a long period of time and push/pull heavy loads. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Qualified candidates will be contacted. To learn more about all of the benefits of working at Sprouts and how you can become part of our growing team, apply on-line at www.sprouts.com/careers. Sprouts Farmers Market is an Equal Opportunity Employer.