At Northern Tool + Equipment we get up every day to serve the tradespeople who keep our country running strong and the weekend warriors who want to work like them. It’s our mission to make sure they have the right tools for the job, and an easy, hassle-free experience at our store so they can get in, get out and get on with the job at hand. Your top priority as a Benefits Partner is to be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the benefits and leave programs, ensuring a positive employee experience and operational accuracy. This role takes ownership of core processes, serves as the primary contact for tier-2 inquiries, and collaborates with vendors to resolve standard issues independently. Additionally, the partner maintains HRIS workflows, ensures data integrity, owns system set up for annual open enrollment execution, and develops impactful communications for employee benefits education and enrollment.  The partner also supports operational execution of various benefits projects, such as audits and data remediation. Your positive, professional, roll-up-your-sleeves-to-help attitude contributes to our winning culture and makes sure we leave a lasting impression.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary contact for leave programs, independently partnering with HRBPs, managers, and employees to guide them through policies, timelines, and next steps to conclusion.
• Administers daily operations for medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, voluntary benefits, consumer accounts, and retirement plans from onboarding through termination.
• Leads the annual Open Enrollment system setup, partnering closely with the vendor during the discovery phase, loading rates, and driving rigorous system testing and data validation for a successful implementation.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for benefits within the HRIS and benefit platforms, resolving data errors and tracking discrepancies independently.
• Accountable for data movement and system integrity processes, ensuring inbound and outbound vendor feeds are accurate, timely, and reconciled without supervisory oversight.
• Responsible for timesheet management and internal tracking for continuous and intermittent leaves of absence to safeguard payroll accuracy.
• Monitors local, state, and national leave legislation (FMLA, ADA, USERRA, state disability) and independently implements operational updates or flags compliance risks to leadership.
• Resolves tier-2 benefits inquiries with accurate guidance, utilizing independent judgment to solve standard issues and only escalating complex policy exceptions or legal risks.
• Executes assigned rotations for payroll process data loads and file management accurately and on schedule.
• Coordinates the death-in-service process independently with professionalism, accuracy, and appropriate sensitivity.
• Identifies and directly implements process optimizations to improve efficiency, reduce error rates, and enhance the employee experience.
• Drafts, designs, and maintains benefit-related presentations, communications, and guides to ensure clear employee understanding and high enrollment engagement.
• Responsible for targeted and ad hoc benefits projects, including benefit plan audits, census file cleanups, system remediation, and other operational initiatives that support accurate and efficient benefits administration.
• Maintains accurate, secure, and confidential employee records across all platforms.
• Provides outcome-focused updates to the supervisor regarding resolved risks, completed milestones, and project execution statuses.
• Coordinates with team members to ensure unified service delivery and cross-functional support.

What you will bring to the table:

• Identifies and directly implements process optimizations to improve efficiency, reduce error rates, and enhance the employee experience.
• Drafts, designs, and maintains benefit-related presentations, communications, and guides to ensure clear employee understanding and high enrollment engagement.
• Responsible for targeted and ad hoc benefits projects, including benefit plan audits, census file cleanups, system remediation, and other operational initiatives that support accurate and efficient benefits administration.
• Maintains accurate, secure, and confidential employee records across all platforms.
• Provides outcome-focused updates to the supervisor regarding resolved risks, completed milestones, and project execution statuses.
• Coordinates with team members to ensure unified service delivery and cross-functional support.
• Demonstrates Northern Tool + Equipment’s 12 Core Competencies.

About Us

Northern Tool + Equipment is a family business with roots stretching back three generations to Minnesota’s Iron Range, where our blue-collar work ethic and commitment to serving the people who do the tough jobs was born. Our mission is to be the best in the world at serving the professional tradespeople and those who want to work like them. With over 130 retail stores across 24 states, top national brands and global manufacturing operations designed to create our own specialized tools and equipment, we are busting our knuckles to deliver the products, prices and advice our customers need to succeed. We’re looking for people who share our blue-collar work ethic. If you’re the kind of person who likes to put your nose to the grindstone to help your customers and company succeed, we’d love to talk to you about becoming a member of our team.

Northern Tool + Equipment is proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Top Midsize Employer in 2023. We are committed to creating a workplace where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is encouraged. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive and competitive compensation package that includes: 

• Competitive Pay: Earn $68,000 to $95,000 annually, with your exact compensation personalized based on your skills, experience, and location. We believe in rewarding top talent with pay that reflects your value. 
• Flexible Work Schedule: Achieve the work-life balance you deserve with our full-time, 8-hour shifts, Monday – Friday, complemented by a hybrid work schedule that allows you to work both remotely and in the office. 
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Your health and well-being are our priority. We offer a variety of health plans, so you can choose what best fits your needs. Employees working 30+ hours per week enjoy a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan with an enhanced company match to support your financial future. 
• Generous Employee Discount: Love our products? So do we! Enjoy a significant discount on the quality tools and equipment we offer, helping you save on the items you love to use. 
• Get Paid on Your Terms: With our Daily Pay option, you don’t have to wait for payday—access your earnings whenever you need them for added financial flexibility. 
• Paid Holidays: Take time to relax and recharge with 7 paid federal holidays, because we know how important it is to have time for yourself and your loved ones. 
• Incentives: Be rewarded for eligible incentive programs.

When you join Northern Tool + Equipment, you're not just starting a job—you're joining a community that supports your success. Come be a part of a team where your skills, dedication, and passion are recognized and celebrated. Your future starts here!