Benefits & People Operations Specialist

** This position is currently based in Louisville, KY. The company, and the position, will be relocating to New Albany, IN, in late summer 2026.**

WARE is one of the nation's largest and most expansive boiler rental, service, education, and training companies. A family-owned business founded in 1952, WARE has experienced continual growth for over 70 years. The company culture strongly rooted in service, growth and generosity sets it apart, with these core values serving as the foundation of the company's success.

We're seeking a Benefits & People Operations Specialist to support the day-to-day administration of people operations with a focus on benefits administration, compliance, accurate execution of HR processes, and HRIS data and usage. This role ensures operational efficiency, data integrity, and regulatory compliance while serving as a knowledgeable resource for employees and managers on benefits, policies, and people processes.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits and 401(k) retirement plan questions, providing personalized support
• Administer benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, retirement, leaves of absence, optional benefits, and wellness initiatives
• Develop and update employee benefits education materials (benefits guides, FAQs, etc)
• Coordinate with vendors and carriers to resolve billing, eligibility, and claims issues
• Conduct monthly benefits audits, reconcile carrier invoices, and ensure payroll deductions are accurate
• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including vendor coordination, employee communications, HRIS configuration, and employee education sessions
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, COBRA, FMLA, and applicable state leave laws
• Perform PTO/vacation administration, prepare and submit unemployment claims responses, and curate and deliver retirement plan communication/education
• Support audits, prepare and submit Form 5500 filing, and other filings/reports
• Serve as primary contact for HRIS platform, updating and maintaining accurate employee data and records, inputting life event changes, merit increases, promotions, job changes, and terminations, generating reports, responding to data requests, managing user access and permissions, etc.
• Execute quarterly/random and other required drug screens; upload results in document management system
• Assist with surveys and special projects
• Perform other duties as requested

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
• 5+ years experience in benefits administration and People Operations
• Experience managing relationships with benefits vendors
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to explain benefits clearly
• Proficient with Excel and comfortable with audits and reporting data
• Familiarity with compliance requirements (ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, FMLA/state leave)
• Hands-on experience with HRIS administration (Paylocity preferred)
• Experience processing unemployment claims and workers' compensation
• Meticulous and well-organized, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to consistently perform with a high sense of urgency
• Excellent discernment skills
• Ability to remain nimble and adjust to unanticipated changes, often on short notice, and remain calm under pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Team player who values and embraces collaboration

Details:

• Full time, in-office, salary position (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm), $65,000-$75,000/year
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Christmas bonus
• Opportunity for profit sharing
• 401(k) with company match

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