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Benefits Specialist

The Building Center, Inc.

Title: Benefits Specialist
Reports to: SVP of Human Resources
Division: Gastonia, NC

Summary:

The Benefits Specialist is a Full-time, On-site position responsible for managing and analyzing employee benefit programs, ensuring compliance, and providing support to employees with enrollment and inquiries. This role requires a candidate who is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to support and communicate benefits information to a diverse employee population. Additionally, the Benefits Specialist will help conduct benefits education sessions and ensure the benefits program aligns with the organization’s strategic goals and meets the needs of employees.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Benefits Administration:

Administer and manage day-to-day employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement plans (e.g., 401(k)), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), and voluntary benefits.
Ensure all new hires are enrolled in appropriate benefits plans and manage any life event changes, such as marriage, birth of a child, and medical leave.
Handle employee benefits-related questions, providing clear and accurate information about benefits plans, coverage options, and eligibility.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of benefits enrollments, changes, terminations, and any other benefit-related transactions in the HRIS (Human Resources Information System).

Open Enrollment Process:

Lead the preparation and communication for annual open enrollment, including creating informational materials, planning benefit fairs, and setting up meetings for employee education.
Collaborate with HR, IT, and external vendors to ensure a smooth and seamless open enrollment experience for all employees.
Provide one-on-one assistance to employees during open enrollment, helping them understand their benefits options and make informed decisions.
Review and reconcile open enrollment data, ensuring all elections and changes are processed accurately and on time.

Employee Communication and Support:

Provide benefits support and education in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility and understanding for all employees.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees regarding benefits-related inquiries, including but not limited to health insurance, retirement plans, leave of absence, and wellness programs.
Educate employees on benefits offerings through various communication channels, such as emails, webinars, presentations, and benefit guides.
Assist employees with navigating benefits portals, submitting claims, and resolving issues related to claims, benefits eligibility, or coverage disputes.

Employee Communication and Support continued:

Create and distribute employee communications on benefits programs, upcoming changes, open enrollment, wellness initiatives, and more.

Claims and Issue Resolution:

Serve as a liaison between employees and benefit brokers to resolve claims or coverage-related issues.
Track the status of claims and escalate unresolved issues to appropriate contact or management when necessary.
Monitor the performance of benefits providers, addressing any issues related to claims processing, customer service, or coverage discrepancies.

Vendor Management:

Manage relationships with third-party benefits providers, and brokers, ensuring they deliver high-quality service to employees and meet company expectations.
Review and audit vendor and carrier monthly invoices for accuracy.

Analysis and Optimization:

Analyze benefit data to identify trends, opportunities for improvement, and cost-saving measures.
Support Payroll to analyze and optimize integrations of file feeds
Evaluate engagement of existing benefit programs and propose changes.

Benefits Data Management and Reporting:

Maintain accurate records of employee benefits data in the HRIS, ensuring that all information is up-to-date and accessible.
Assist in the preparation of benefits reports for leadership, HR, and finance teams, including data on employee participation, costs, and utilization trends.
Analyze benefits data to identify trends, opportunities for cost savings, and areas for improvement in the company’s benefits offerings.

Wellness and Employee Engagement:

Partner with HR and wellness program coordinators to promote wellness initiatives, such as fitness challenges, mental health resources, and preventive care programs.
Track employee participation in wellness programs and benefits offerings, reporting back to leadership on engagement levels and program effectiveness.
Recommend new or improved wellness benefits that align with employee needs and organizational goals.

Payroll and Benefits Integration:

Work closely with the payroll team to ensure benefits deductions, premiums, and contributions are accurately reflected in employee payroll.
Assist in ensuring that benefits data integrates seamlessly with the company’s payroll system for correct deductions and timely payments to benefits vendors.

Daily Responsibilities:

Answer employee questions and resolve any issues related to benefits coverage, claims, or eligibility.
Update employee records in the HRIS and ensure changes to benefits elections are processed accurately.
Coordinate with benefits providers to resolve claims issues or address employee inquiries.
Prepare and distribute benefits communication materials to employees as needed.
Review and approve benefits-related invoices for payment.
Monitor compliance with benefit-related regulations, filing required reports and documents on time.
Track employee participation and engagement in wellness programs and other benefits offerings.

Skills and Abilities:

Bilingual (English/Spanish) required, with the ability to communicate benefits information clearly and effectively to Spanish‑speaking employees.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to explain complex benefits information to employees in an easy-to-understand manner.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to process benefits information accurately and efficiently.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with HRIS systems or benefits management software.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to resolve benefits-related issues or challenges.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
High degree of professionalism and customer service orientation

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:

Constantly: in an office environment, and
Occasionally: near moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, and near dirt, dust, and shavings, exposed to other environmental conditions when interacting with employees who work in those conditions.
The noise level in the general work environment is moderate, as in a standard business office.

Special Considerations

Required to travel occasionally within the local community, region, and across states for meetings, requiring overnight stays.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The person in this position must be able to:

Spend the following amount of time in an activity:
Constantly: talk or hear and use hands, fingers to handle or feel, or operate equipment or tools,
Frequently: stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; climb, pull, push or balance, and
Occasionally: stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; reach with hands and arms.
Carry or transport items:
Frequently: up to 10-20 pounds, and

Occasionally: between 20 and 30 pounds.

Have close vision (1- 20 inches) and have the ability to adjust focus.

Education/Experience:

Associate's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, or Business Administration; Preferred, Not Required

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish required to effectively assist and educate employees on benefits programs.

HR Certification Preferred; or a minimum of two – five years of experience in the HR field, or any similar combination of education and experience.
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with constantly changing priorities.
Proven as a self-motivator and self-starter; can juggle multiple projects and priorities resourcefully and at pace.
Strong customer service work ethic and a creative, resourceful mindset
Solid facilitation and communication skills; able to engage a variety of audiences on a variety of topics

Benefits:

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Benefits
401(k) Employer Match and Profit Sharing
Group Term & Voluntary Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays

About The Organization

Founded in Charlotte in 1977, The Building Center, Inc. has grown from a single location into one of the largest privately held lumber and building materials dealers in the United States. Nearly five decades later, we remain family-owned and family-driven, guided by the same commitment we started with: to be our customers’ most valued building partner.

With more than 200 trucks on the road and a strong network of divisions strategically located throughout the Carolinas, we deliver consistent, reliable service to builders across the region. Our divisions include:

South Carolina: Easley, Columbia, Holly Hill, Georgetown
North Carolina: Rock Hill, Boone, Monroe, Ocean Isle Beach, Pineville, Gastonia, Greensboro, and Mebane

Our regional strength allows us to purchase and sell branded and commodity products at competitive prices, while tailoring our inventories to match local building practices, architectural trends, and the unique needs of each market. Beyond supplying materials, we provide a full range of manufacturing support—including truss plants in North and Central North Carolina, millwork and door shops in the Triad and Charlotte metros, and custom fabrication in Pineville, where we also craft specialty products like reclaimed lumber flooring, cabinetry, mantles, and siding.

What makes The Building Center truly different is our culture and our people. We believe construction is, at its heart, a people business—built on relationships, trust, and hard work. Our values of service, integrity, and dependability guide us in every interaction, whether we’re serving customers, supporting our communities, or developing our employees.

When you join The Building Center, you become part of a company with deep roots, a bold vision, and a culture where you can grow, contribute, and make a real impact. Together, we’re not just delivering materials—we’re helping to build communities, futures, and lasting success.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodation

The Building Center, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). If you require an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at (704) 889-8182 or careers@thebuildingcenter.com.

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