Benefits Specialist

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

Are you a detail-oriented benefits professional who enjoys supporting team members through some of the most important moments of their careers? Do you thrive in a role where accuracy, empathy, and compliance matter every day? If you’re ready to play a critical role in supporting our team members by administering benefit and leave programs with care and precision, we want you on our team!

Join us in this high-impact Benefits Specialist role where you won’t just administer programs — you’ll be a trusted resource guiding team members through benefits, leaves of absence, and beyond.

Responsibilities: As a Benefits Specialist, you will serve as a key point of contact for team members regarding benefits administration and leave management. You will ensure programs are administered accurately, consistently, and in compliance with all applicable laws, while providing exceptional support to our workforce.

• Benefits Administration & Support: Respond to moderately complex team member inquiries via phone, email, and written correspondence related to short-term and long-term disability, retirement plans, 401(k), and other benefit programs.
• Employee Education & Communication: Deliver employee presentations and explain more complex aspects of insurance and benefit programs to team members.
• Eligibility & Claims Coordination: Work with provider offices, hospitals, and benefits vendors regarding claims, coverage levels, eligibility, and plan provisions.
• Program Coordination: Assist with the administration of benefit programs including medical, dental, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.
• Annual Enrollment Support: Coordinates annual open enrollment process and related communications.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Research, analyze, and integrate data to support benefit program utilization and reporting needs.
• Leave of Absence Administration: Administer leave programs in compliance with FMLA, ADA, USERRA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, MN Paid Leave and related state and federal regulations.
• ADA Administration & Compliance: Manage the interactive ADA accommodation process, ensuring timely, consistent, and compliant coordination in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Case Management: Independently review, approve, or deny leave cases based on medical documentation while ensuring HIPAA and team member privacy standards are strictly maintained.
• Payroll & Time Tracking: Manage all administrative aspects of leave and workers’ compensation claims, including tracking hours used and coordinating closely with Payroll and the HR Service Center to ensure accurate pay.
• Return-to-Work Coordination: Maintain ongoing communication with team members on leave and coordinate all aspects of return-to-work processes.
• Attendance Support: Assist with attendance tracking and reporting.
• Additional Duties: Perform other duties as required to support HR operations and team member needs.

What You’ll Need

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of related benefits, leave administration, or HR experience required.
• Benefits Knowledge: Experience with FMLA and related state and federal regulations preferred.
• Decision-Making Skills: Strong ability to evaluate information, make sound decisions, and resolve complex issues.
• Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly and to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals.
• Organizational Strength: Meticulous attention to detail, ability to manage multiple priorities, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to work with highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Why Work for Pilgrim’s?

• Schedule: Monday – Friday with occasional Saturdays. Flexible day shift hours.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, company-observed holidays, and any other statutorily required paid leave.
• 401(k): Company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
• Base hourly salary range of $21-25 per hour.
• Career Development: We support professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and development programs.
• Better Futures

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post‑offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us: Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. We process, prepare, package, and deliver fresh, frozen, and value‑added food products to customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, and continental Europe.

Our Mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services for our customers, trusted relationships with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders, and a better future for all team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from recruitment vendors. Any resumes submitted without a valid, approved agreement will become the property of JBS, and no fees will be paid.