Benefits Specialist

Operating in a call center environment, the Benefits Specialist must handle highly confidential information and function within HIPAA guidelines while being responsible for responding to inquiries from all Participants in our benefit plans including active associates and retirees, their family members, beneficiaries, and terminated vested associates.  Knowledgeable about all benefit plans, they provide detailed information and counsel Participants to ensure complete understanding of how our plans work and the choices they need to make.  They also will support self-service technologies and, when necessary, establish and maintain Participant information in the appropriate systems, both internal and external.  They provide ongoing education on the resources available (Aetna, Vanguard, Hewitt, Nationwide BetterHealth, ATBC web sites) to help Participants take control and responsibility for effectively managing their benefits.  The Benefits Specialist is involved in a variety of special projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Retirement Counseling

Guide associates through entire retirement process.  Guide associates through Hewitts YBR system.  Ensure understanding of the estimator including variable assumptions and how these assumptions impact the estimated benefit.  Ensure understanding of Mars Retirement Plans, including optional forms of payment available.  Explain details of all retirement forms and personalized communications and answer questions about these forms statements.  Ensure understanding of Mars Medical Plan eligibility and method of premium determination.

Death Case Processing

Work with associate/retirees family to process all applicable benefits relative to the death.  This includes life insurance, pension, and medical insurance.  Areas that must be covered include beneficiary information, RABBI trust, availability of a pension benefit, & availability of survivor medical coverage.  Death reports are also received and research to find survivors must be conducted.

Administration of Plans

Retirement - Process retirement changes for all retirees through Hewitts TBA System.  Prepare required reports.  Assist with general questions.

Long Term Disability - Track associates on LTD and adjust benefits and premiums as per plan requirements.  Track for mandatory retirement eligibility and communicate with the ATBC.  Prepare required reports.  Interact with ATBC and associates.  Assist with general questions.  Assist associates on Long Term Disability with estimate and retirement process.

Life Insurance - Prepare life insurance claims on deceased associates (active and retired) and submits to carrier. Update and/or terminate any related payments.  Document and log all death claims (Rabbi Trust) and forward required documents to ATBC.  Interact with the carrier and associates family, as needed.  Collect and process all applicable premiums.  Prepare required reports.  Assist with general questions.

Medical and Dental - Offer general plan information and eligibility requirements.  All "Partner" and "Partner Child" eligibility is determined by the benefit service center representative by reviewing received supporting documentation,  As needed, provide guidance for filing claims appeals with carriers and ATBC.  Work closely with vendors/ATBC to resolve any issues.  Educate associates/retirees on the use of all related websites and resources.

Wellness Programs - Fulfill the role of theHeath Care Advocate which is the entrance to all Wellness Programs.  Educate callers on the wellness incentive program and process.  Provide details on each of the various wellness programs available.  Also triage the caller  appropriately to health coaches, online programs, nurseline, or condition management.

Savings Plans - Provide general plan information to associates.  Direct callers to Vanguard to get investment information or resolve issues related to their savings account.  Administer help/guidance on the use of the Vanguard Web, 800#, and Mpower.  Assist with general questions.

Flexible Spending Accounts - Provide general plan information to associates.  Direct callers to ADP and the web site to get account specific information and resolve issues.

COBRA - Assist with general questions, when needed.  Direct callers to the outsourced COBRA vendor.

Medicare  - Assist with questions from retirees on Medicare D utilizing FAQs and other Medicare D information provided.

Adoption Assistance - Serve as the subject matter expert on Mars Adoption Assistance Program.  Guide associates through the process from initial inquiry to payment.

Special Projects

Complete special projects and reports, as assigned, in an accurate and timely manner.  Interface with other groups within the ATBC in order to fulfill project requirements.  Attend meetings, offer suggestions and recommendations as necessary.

Maintenance of Associate Data

Input and maintain all benefits related information for all former associates (terminated Vested associates and retirees) in the appropriate systems.  Ensure the accuracy of all inactive associate data provided to ATBC and third party systems, including the Hewitt TBA system.

Open Enrollment

In some circumstances, assist associates in making elections and, when needed, process required election information in appropriate systems and coordinate through carriers.  Assist associates with utilizing self-service technologies for enrollment.  Direct callers to outsourced vendor.

New Hire Orientation

Answer questions from new hires to ensure a complete understanding of Mars Benefit Plans and how to best maximize their use of the benefits.  Deliver weekly new hire benefits orientation to select Mars sites.  Provide complete and accurate information to newly hired associates using approved benefits summary.

Key Skills Required:

* Excellent working knowledge of Mars Benefit Plans, including information provided in Summary Plan Descriptions and specialized communications * Effective influencing, presentation and communication skills, verbal and written * Strong customer service orientation * Strong interpersonal skills in working effectively with associates at all levels, former associates and carriers * Able to relay information and explain policies and procedures with a professional demeanor * Handle calls within service level agreements and complete after-call work in an efficient and accurate manner * Strong administrative skills, including knowledge of PC software packages and human resource systems * Attention to detail and accurate reporting is critical * Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously as well as see projects through with limited guidance.  Self-motivated with excellent organization skills and experience, able to multi-task and capable of establishing priorities * Able to exercise good judgement/decision making, identify and use resources, and draw from several reference sources to determine appropriate and sometimes immediate course of action * Demonstrated ability to handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information * Fast learner with strong initiative and high energy * Basic problem solving skills to analyze, evaluate and propose appropriate recommendations * Basic mathematical skills

Minimum Qualifications: 2 years of experience in Benefits Administration and Customer Service 1 year of experience in a Human Resources function

Ability to travel 5% of the time if needed

Associates Degree in Business Management, Business Law, or Human Resources

Successful completion of a drug and background screen

Preferred Qualifications: 3+ years of experience in Benefits Administration and Customer Service Outside training in benefits or CEBS certification a plus Bilingual a plus

Company-paid relocation is not available for this position.

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars North America offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.

If youre looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called "associates" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you.

We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars North America is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Visit www.mars.com to learn more about our company and for information about all of our current openings. Please, no agencies.

Please refer to job code MOU00223 when responding to this ad.

Category:	Human Resources
	> Benefits Administrator
Location:	Mount Olive, NJ
County:	County
ZIP Code:
Pay Rate:	Open
Job Terms:	full time
Company:	Mars
Phone:	email only please
Fax:	email only please