Sr. Compensation

Job Title: Sr. Compensation & Benefits Manager

Location: Chattanooga, TN

Reports to: Director of HR

Job Description:

The Compensation and Benefits Manager develops, implements, and manages an organization's compensation and benefits programs to ensure compliance and attract, retain, and motivate top talent. The role requires a strong mix of strategic planning, data analysis, and communication skills to ensure that pay structures and benefits packages are competitive, equitable, and compliant.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Compensation program management

· Develop and manage salary structures, pay grades, and scales that align with the company's financial goals and business objectives.

· Perform regular market analysis and benchmarking to ensure that the company's compensation packages are competitive within the industry and local job markets.

· Design, implement, and oversee variable pay programs such as bonuses, sales commissions, and long-term incentive plans.

· Evaluate job positions to determine classification and salary levels based on responsibilities, required skills, and market rates.

· Manage annual compensation planning processes, including merit increases and bonus programs.

· Pull, organize, and analyze data from HRIS -- build reports and interactive documents to support union negotiations strategy.

· Lead or support special projects such as pay equity analysis, job architecture, and comp/payroll system implementations.

Benefits program management

· Lead the plan design, administration, and continuous improvement of all health and welfare, 401(k), wellness, and leave programs.

· Oversee benefits program: Administer all employee benefits, including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement plans (like 401(k)s), wellness initiatives, and paid time off.

· Oversee benefit communications strategy including orientation, open enrollment, and educational outreach

· Lead and oversee administration of LOA programs including ADA, FMLA, STD/LTD, WC, and personal leave cases

· Work with external partners, such as insurance brokers and benefits providers, to negotiate contracts and ensure efficient delivery of programs.

· Provide information to employees on available benefits, assist with inquiries, and manage annual enrollment processes.

· Monitor market trends to ensure the company's offerings remain atractive and aligned with employee needs and market expectations.

Cross-Functional and Compliance

· Lead and support payroll and benefits team in weekly workflows and projects. Serve as escalation point for complex employee benefit issues; apply policy interpretation and compliance guidance

· Collaborate across HR, Payroll, Accounting, and Legal to ensure consistency and compliance in compensation and benefits administration.

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local compensation and benefits laws and regulations.

· Represent Payroll and Benefits functions on M&A, system conversions, policy changes, and Total Rewards alignment/harmonization initiatives.

· Lead process improvement projects to increase automation, accuracy, and employee satisfaction.

· Prepare proposals, reports, and budgets: Work with finance and senior leadership to forecast and manage budgets for all compensation and benefits programs. Analyze benefit utilization, cost trends, and claim data to guide leadership decisions. Present quarterly benefits dashboards with insights on participation, risk exposure, and ROI. Collaborate on financial forecasting and budgeting for benefit programs

Qualifications and skills:

· Education: A bachelor's degree in HR, business administration, finance.

· Experience: 7+ years of progressive compensation and benefits experience, including 4+ years in a leadership or managerial role.

· Expert-level understanding of payroll, health, retirement, and leave program administration

· Analytical skills: The ability to analyze data on wages, salaries, and benefits costs is crucial for developing and accessing programs.

· Exceptional verbal/written communication and stakeholder engagement skills

· Business acumen: Understanding how compensation and benefits strategies affect an organization's finances and business goals is critical.

· Negotiation skills: Strong negotiation skills are needed to work with external vendors and partners.

· Demonstrated success in team leadership, problem solving, and forward-thinking innovation.

· Experience with ADP WorkforceNow HRIS.

· Intermediate to Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, conditional formulas).

Preferred:

· Certifications: CEBS, CCP, SHRM-CP/SCP, or similar certifications.

· Experience overseeing compensation and benefits in a manufacturing or multi-location setting.

· Union Experience is highly preferred.

· History of leading system implementations or benefits platform upgrade.

· Mergers & acquisitions experience a plus.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

· 401(k)

· 401(k) matching

· Dental insurance

· Health insurance

· Life insurance

· Paid time off

· Referral program

· Tuition reimbursement

· Vision insurance

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal state or local laws as appropriate, or upon the protected status of the person's relatives, friends or associates.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120, $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Workers' compensation: 7 years (Required)
• Benefits administration: 7 years (Required)
• ADP: 3 years (Required)
• HRIS: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (Preferred)
• SHRM Certified Professional (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Chattanooga, TN Required)

Work Location: In person