Total Rewards Benefits Manager - North America

Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Rooted in two centuries of family heritage, Beam Suntory has evolved into the world's third largest leading premium spirits company ... where each employee is treated like family and trusted with legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Beam Suntory is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

Total Rewards Benefits Manager - North America  

The following position is open in Illinois, United States.

What makes this a great opportunity?

Beam Suntory is the world’s third largest premium spirits company with annual revenues of $5.5 billion and a clear 2030 ambition to become the world’s most admired premium spirits company. As part of the 2030 strategy, the company aims to become a $10 billion premium spirits company, with China becoming one of the fastest growing emerging markets of the business.

Beam Suntory is in the midst of an exciting business and culture transformation across a number of fundamental dimensions:

• Evolution to become brand led, balanced with commercial and market excellence
• Commitment to further premiumize the portfolio
• Focus on building a Gemba-centric, inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to accelerate its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the organization

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark Bourbon brands, Suntory Whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier Cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent Bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese Whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch Whisky; Canadian Club Whisky; Hornitos and Sauza Tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle Vodka; and Sipsmith and Roku Gin.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. Our culture is anchored deeply in a set of core values, including our East-Meets-West Culture, Yatte Minahare spirit, Giving Back to Society, Delighting Consumers, responsibly and Embracing Diversity & Inclusion.

Role Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for the day-to-day management of North American employee benefit plans to ensure all plans meet strategic objectives. The role will maintain strong relationships with our HR People Solutions team and multiple third-party administrative vendors and consultants. They will stay well-informed on legislative / regulatory developments and ensure full compliance.  The role is also responsible for developing recommendations that are aligned with company strategy and goals.

The successful candidate will enable our Total Rewards philosophy to be an employer of choice, building business cases and analysis, utilizing industry trends, market benchmarking and internal metrics, to support successful outcomes that enhance our employee experience, and positive results.  The individual will work closely with other HR and cross-functional teams to implement benefit programs and policies that provide positive impacts and inspire our employees to “unleash their spirit”. 

Outcomes/Success Criteria

• Successfully deliver and pro-actively manage market leading North American (NA) Benefit programs, policies and processes. Quickly adapting to the Beam Suntory ways of working, learning our programs, policies and processes to provide subject matter expertise to colleagues and employees.
• Assist with development of employee benefits strategy to ensure programs are market-competitive, cost-competitive and aligned with company strategy, and oversee the implementation of approved plan design changes.
• Monitor internal metrics, industry and workforce trends, as well as regulatory and legislative changes, working with Total Rewards leadership to develop the benefits strategy and implement changes.
• Ensuring all plan related documents are accurate and up to date (SPD, plan documents, information on intranet, etc.)
• Develop and execute communication strategies to ensure all parties are fully informed of benefit plan changes and improve employee understanding, promoting our strategic agenda and fostering an appreciation of the value of all NA benefit programs and services to employees through the employment life cycle, including new hires, open enrollment, retirement and respond to escalated issues from the HR People Solutions team.
• Manage multiple third-party vendor relationships to ensure efficient and effective administration of all NA benefit plans. Continually evaluate internal and external administrative processes.  Select and regularly evaluate all third-party vendors and service providers to ensure programs are managed by high-quality, technically savvy, and financially sound organizations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Thorough knowledge of the full spectrum of employee benefit plans, including 401k, health and welfare plans (medical, wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation).
• Proven skill set to include analytical, critical thinking, statistical and problem-solving abilities to ensure compliance, consistent interpretation and application of plans, thorough knowledge of other related benefit plan design and administration.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with multiple third-party vendors, HR partners and employees at all levels; vendors include administration partners, brokers, consultants, auditors, attorneys and on-site/near-site health/fitness clinic managers.
• Strong MS office skills (Excel, PowerPoint etc.); good understanding of HR systems and interfaces with third-party vendors.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; excellent planning & organizational skills.

Minimum Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience managing all facets of US employee benefit plans, including retirement, health and welfare plan administration, reporting and compliance. Exposure to North American and International Benefits plus Mergers and Acquisitions is preferred.
• Experience managing outsourced administrative vendors, RFP development, vendor selection and project management of implementations/transitions. 
• Previous experience working with benefit plan financial modeling, creating and coordinating the development of plan documentation, conducting research and survey participation.
• Ability to work independently and be proactive in a fast-paced environment, possessing a strong sense of ownership and accountability, knowing when and how to escalate to leadership to keep projects on track, and stakeholders informed.
• Ability to articulate issues concisely and clearly for all audiences with a track record of establishing compliant, creative, and successful solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Human Resources or equivalent education and experience.
• Total Rewards experience, such as compensation subject matter expertise, would be an advantage.
• Experience working with Union benefits. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work and lead projects in a matrixed environment.
• Identifying Total Rewards and Benefits employee experience optimization opportunities.

At Beam Suntory, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Beam Suntory is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant’s skills and experience.