COMPANY OVERVIEW

Foodland Super Market, Ltd is locally owned and operated and has been doing business in Hawai`i for over 75 years. Foodland is strongly committed to sharing our passion for extraordinary service, unmatched quality and innovation, and delivering exceptional food and shopping experiences to inspire our community.
Job Summary
The Director of Benefits and Leave Management is responsible for the strategic oversight and day- to-day administration of comprehensive employee benefits and leave programs for a diverse workforce of approximately 5,000 employees of the company and affiliated entities supported by the company. This role ensures regulatory compliance and employee support through thoughtful benefits design while cultivating a well-organized, service-oriented office environment that supports operational efficiency and company culture.
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Strategy & Administration
· Lead the design, administration, and continuous improvement of employee benefits programs for the company and affiliated entities supported by the company, serving approximately 5,000 employees—of which approximately two-thirds are union members.
· Develop and implement long-term benefit strategies that align with the organization’s overall
goals and objectives.
· Manage a diverse portfolio of over 40 benefit plans, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, and voluntary offerings.
· Analyze benefits data and trends to identify areas for improvements and make recommendations to leadership.
· Evaluate plan performance and market competitiveness; partner with brokers and carriers to negotiate renewals, improve value, manage cost, and ensure high quality service delivery.
· Ensure full compliance with all applicable benefits regulations (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, IFMLA, HFL and ADA) through proactive policy management, audits, and timely reporting.
· Direct the successful implementation and optimization of Benefits Administration IT Systems, with a focus on data integrity, usability, and system integration.
· Manage and optimize utilization of third-party vendors with a focus on cost reduction and operational efficiencies.
· Lead the annual open enrollment process, including system preparation, communications strategy, vendor coordination, and compliance documentation.
· Develop and deliver clear and effective communication strategies to educate employees about their benefit options, enrollment process, and related policies.
· Address employee inquiries and concerns related to benefits, resolving issues and ensuring a positive employee experience.
Retirement & Pension Plan Oversight
· Oversee the administration of defined contribution and defined benefit retirement programs, including 401(k), pension plans, and supplemental offerings.
· Collaborate with internal finance teams and external fiduciaries to ensure appropriate plan funding, compliance, and risk management.
· Conduct audits, ensure timely and accurate reporting, and manage all required testing (e.g., nondiscrimination, top-heavy rules).
· Advise the Benefits Committee and leadership on strategic opportunities to optimize retirement offerings and participant outcomes.
Supplemental & Executive Benefits
· Manage executive and voluntary supplemental plans such as deferred compensation and specialized retirement benefits.
· Review and refine supplemental offerings based on participant feedback, legal developments, and market benchmarking.
· Support governance functions by preparing fund performance reviews and strategic plan updates for leadership and board review.
Leave of Absence & Disability Management
· Oversees and administer all employee leave programs in compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., FMLA ADA, Worker’s Compensation), internal policy, and collective bargaining agreements.
· Drove process improvements to streamline leave management workflows, reduce turnaround times, and enhance employee experience.
· Develop and implement long-term leave management strategies that align with the organization’s overall goals and objectives, including proactively managing aged leave of absences cases.
· Conduct regular audits and reviews of leave-related data to identify trends, ensure accuracy, and align with organizational priorities.
Union & Stakeholder Collaboration
· Partner closely with Labor Relations and HR Business Partners to ensure benefit programs and leave policies are aligned with union agreements and operational needs.
· Support compliance with collective bargaining provisions related to benefits and leaves.
· Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on union-sensitive benefit plan changes and employee impact.
Team Leadership & Development
· Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of benefits and leave administration professionals.
· Provide clear direction, training, and support to foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
· Align team priorities with organizational goals and promote professional development opportunities.
Reporting & Analytics
· Develop and maintain dashboards and performance metrics to track benefit utilization, costs, compliance, and employee satisfaction.
· Deliver actionable insights and strategic recommendations to executive leadership using benefits and leave data.
· Monitor industry trends and legislative changes to guide proactive benefit strategy adjustments.
Other Duties
· Other duties and projects assigned.
Qualifications, Education & Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
· Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing benefits programs.
· Proven experience managing comprehensive benefits programs for a large, multi-entity workforce (union and non-union).
· In-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, and ADA.
· Experience supporting or participating in union contract negotiations and interpreting collective bargaining agreements related to benefits and leave.
· Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive strategic initiatives, and implement process improvements.
· Strong analytical skills and experience using HR systems, benefits platforms, and workflow tools (e.g., DocuSign, HRIS, or Benefits Administration Systems).
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, and project management skills, with a strong customer-service orientation.
· Proven ability to manage competing priorities and support high-performing teams in dynamic environments.
Licenses & Certifications
· PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, or CEBS strongly preferred.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What are your salary expectations?

Experience:

• progressive HR: 7 years (Required)
• managing benefits program: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Honolulu, HI 9681

Please refer the Job description for details