Benefits Compensation Manager

JOB PURPOSE or JOB SUMMARY:

The Compensation & Benefits Manager is a strategic HR leader responsible for shaping and executing Summus’s total rewards strategy. This role oversees all aspects of compensation, benefits, and payroll programs, ensuring they support organizational goals, drive engagement, and remain compliant with federal, state, and local regulations. As a people leader, this role manages a team of three direct reports, fostering professional growth, accountability, and collaboration while creating a high-performance culture. The Compensation & Benefits Manager serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders and HR Business Partners, providing guidance on complex compensation and benefits matters. They support a positive culture, build strong relationships, and provide ongoing feedback. They exemplify integrity, collaboration, and accountability. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a      team of three HR professionals focused on compensation, benefits, and      payroll, providing coaching, development, and performance management.
• Owns      compensation and benefit operations including survey participation, job      evaluation, salary structure development, base pay administration,      incentive plan design and analysis for exempt and non-exempt associates,      planning for health and welfare, retirement, and work life benefits. 
• Manage      payroll operations in partnership with Finance and Accounting, ensuring      accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Conduct      market benchmarking and pay equity analyses to maintain internal fairness      and external competitiveness.
• Lead      the annual merit and incentive planning processes, including workflows,      system updates, and executive communication.
• Direct      the annual benefits enrollment process and manage relationships with      third-party vendors.
• Ensure      compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and benefits      regulations (e.g., FLSA, ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA).
• Provide      actionable insights and reporting to senior leadership to guide strategic      workforce decisions.
• Partner      with HR peers to drive cross-functional efficiency and consistent HR      practices.
• Maintain      awareness of HR trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to      ensure programs remain competitive and innovative.
• Responsible      for applicable annual reporting.
• Performs      other duties as assigned.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent      communication and presentation skills. 
• Excellent      interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent      organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong      time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong      analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability      to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability      to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Thorough      knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Proficient      with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficiency      with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

· Frequently required to sit at a desk/workstation for extended periods of time. 

· Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

Working Conditions

· Office hours average 40 per week.

· Work typically performed in an indoor office setting.

· Standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and/or as aligned with manager and site needs. Remote work arrangements applicable as approved by manager.

Travel

· Up to 25% to designated sites.

 QUALIFICATIONS:Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s      degree in HR, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+      years of progressive HR experience in compensation, benefits, and payroll,      with a minimum of 2 years in a leadership role managing direct reports.
• Experience      in a manufacturing or multi-site environment; multi-state and Canadian      experience.
• Strong      analytical, communication, and presentation skills; able to influence at      all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency      in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Paylocity or similar HRIS      preferred. 

Licenses/Credentials/Certifications

• SHRM-CP      or SHRM-SCP, SPHR/PHR and/or CCP preferred.
• Ongoing      continuing education to be informed of industry trends and government      regulations.