Benefits and Leave Specialist

Dogwood Industries seeks a Benefits and Leave Specialist to own day-to-day benefits and leave administration for a growing modular construction manufacturer. In this role, you'll administer medical, dental, vision, life, and 401k plans, coordinate FMLA, disability, and state leave programs, and guide employees and managers through policies and processes. You will partner with payroll and HR to ensure accurate deductions, compliance, and reporting, while maintaining meticulous records. This position supports a safety-focused, mission-driven culture and offers opportunities to improve processes and support a nationwide workforce.

Responsibilities

• Administer health, dental, vision, life, and 401k benefit plans for all eligible employees

• Coordinate FMLA, disability, and other leave of absence programs in compliance with regulations

• Serve as primary point of contact for employee benefit and leave questions

• Process benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations; audit for accuracy

• Partner with payroll to ensure correct deductions and timely updates

• Maintain confidential benefits and leave records and generate required reports

• Support open enrollment planning, communication, and execution

• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws and company policies

• Collaborate with HR and managers on complex leave and accommodation cases

• Recommend and help implement process improvements in benefits and leave administration Required Skills

• Benefits administration

• Leave of absence/FMLA administration

• HRIS and benefits platforms

• Payroll coordination

• Knowledge of employment and benefits law

• Data analysis and reporting

• Excel and spreadsheet skills

• Employee communication and counseling

• Documentation and recordkeeping

• Process improvement