Manager - Benefits, Health & Welfare

Location: Onsite, four days per week – Kohler, WI Opportunity This position owns the development and evolution of Kohler’s health and welfare strategy, while balancing cost, associate experience, and maintaining compliance. The scope of authority incorporates the suite of health and welfare plan offerings including medical, prescription drug, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability, FMLA, and State Paid leaves. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of administrative procedures and external vendor relationships ensuring they are accurate, cost effective and aligned with and supportive of Company's overall business strategy. Analyzes complex benefit issues including cost sharing philosophy, data privacy and data security. In addition, this position will lead and manage one or more Global Benefits associates who support the US Health Welfare function. Specific Responsibilities Serves as program manager for all Health and Welfare plans in the US. Provides leadership to ensure effective and timely benefit plan design implementation and communication of all new benefit programs and changes. Influences Kohler’s benefits experience and associate retention through benefit designs that aim to meet Associate needs while remaining cost-effective for the company. Ensures accountability of the disability and leave administration program. Oversees implementation and transition of daily processes to support such programs. Monitors program effectiveness and additional areas of opportunity. Manages the complexity of ever-changing regulatory environment including State-based paid leave laws and ensures appropriate coordination with company programs. Responsible for vendor management including the following: Sourcing, evaluating, selecting and preparing recommendations for service providers/vendors that meet both the needs of the Associates and the company. Assessing vendor performance against pre-established performance standards at least annually. Evaluating annual renewals and develop cost analysis. Developing a strategy to ensure the integrity and accuracy of self-funded plans including oversight of periodic third party audits. In collaboration with the Global Procurement department, review service provider contracts, agreements and other documents to ensure compliance with Kohler Co., standards, provisions and expectations of performance. Manages the vendor relationship with Prevea who operates the Prevea Kohler Health Center and Premise Health who operates the Kohler Woodlake Pharmacy. Responsible for overall reporting and disclosure legal compliance of health and welfare benefit plans to retain favorable tax status of the plans and to avoid financial penalties and potential lawsuits which could bring adverse publicity. This includes review and updating of all ERISA required documents, e.g., SPDs, SARs, 5500s as well as leading the annual filing and reporting required by the ACA. Integrates and analyzes employee benefit data collected from multiple sources, draws conclusions and presents results clearly, succinctly and accurately. Conducts research and analysis in support of benefit plan development and/or modifications. Completes benefits surveys and benchmarking studies as needed. Leads the ongoing modernization of benefits delivery through effective associate communications and education programs for Kohler Co. benefit plans. This includes benefit highlights for recruiting, medical plan SBCs and other statutory notices. Serves in a consultative role to Global Shared Services in the administrative management of the health and welfare benefit plans. Provides guidance in areas such as policy interpretation and plan design intent. Also assists with knowledge transfer and resolution of escalated complex benefit issues. Proactively works to ensure continuous improvement in activities associated with providing benefits to Associates. Provides support to Director – US Benefits on an ongoing and ad hoc basis. Includes support for policy and plan design history and interpretation to ensure clear direction of program intent within the Kohler Co. culture. Assists in monitoring plan performance on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, setting reserves for self-funded plans and maintaining metrics dashboard for use by senior management. Provides leadership, support, guidance and direction to other department personnel. Responsible for the hiring, growth and career development of their direct report(s). Assists in the analysis of benefit programs in the event of mergers or acquisitions. Includes development of comprehensive inventory of current plans, providers, costs, etc. Develops recommendation for plan integration and timetable. Other related duties as assigned.