Central Garden & Pet Hiring for Benefits Administrator at Walnut Creek, CA  Full Time

Central Garden & Pet is searching for a Benefits Administrator in our Walnut Creek, CA office located at, 1340 Treat Blvd, Ste 600. Walnut Creek, CA 94597. The Benefits Administrator position is responsible for executing the day-to-day operations of Central’s national group benefits programs (group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending plan, retirement plans, etc.). This position provides excellent customer service to our employees. The administrator is a key member of the Benefits Team and contributes to the investigation of new benefits programs, improving existing programs, and the monitoring of third-party benefits providers.

Pay: $73,000 – 91,000 – depending on years of experience

Measures of Success

• Serve as the primary contact for employees, managers, plan vendors and third-party administrators.
• Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
• Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
• Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of administrative fee payments.
• Audit the accuracy of employee data and the benefits enrollment census.
• Analyze current benefits, evaluating the use, services, coverage, effectiveness, cost, plan experience and competitive trends in benefits programs, and identify the company’s stance.
• Perform plan audits. Prepare, collect and organize data for accuracy and completeness assessments.
• Provide customer service support to internal and external customers. Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company’s benefits package.
• Design and distribute materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to members of the Human Resources department, managers and employees.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products; experience with HRIS and benefits databases.
• Project and team management/leadership skills and experience.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of plan designs.
• Knowledge of all pertinent federal and state regulations, filing and compliance requirements, both adopted and pending, affecting employee benefits programs.
• Excellent communication and organization skills.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of related benefits or employee benefits administration experience required.
• SHRM, CBP and CEBS professional designations preferred.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual profit-sharing bonus!
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on Pet supplies, cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• A more complete list of benefits can be found here

At Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT and CENTA), we believe home is at the center of our lives, and our employees are driven by our purpose to nurture happy and healthy homes. Our company is made up of thousands of people across North America, with an emerging footprint across the U.K., Mexico, China and Canada – all dedicated to helping gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. We are united by our mission to lead the future of the garden and pet industries…one blade of grass and one wagging tail at a time. Visit our website at to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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