The Benefit Plan Manager - Rewards & Recognition is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the company’s voluntary benefits and enterprise-wide recognition programs. This role oversees a diverse portfolio of offerings, including tuition reimbursement, legal insurance, associate discounts, service awards, employee assistance programs, same day pay, and home, auto, and pet insurance. The manager will lead the rollout of a unified rewards and recognition platform, ensuring alignment with the Total Rewards strategy and enhancing the associate experience through meaningful, accessible, and engaging benefit programs. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.
Responsibilities- Lead the design, implementation, and enterprise-wide rollout of a centralized rewards and recognition platform.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for all voluntary benefits and recognition programs.
- Collaborate with Total Rewards, Legal, Communications, and HR teams to ensure compliance and seamless execution.
- Partner with Associate Communications to develop and deliver engaging benefit materials and campaigns.
- Promote awareness and understanding of voluntary benefits through targeted communication strategies.
- Monitor utilization and performance of voluntary benefits; recommend enhancements based on data and associate feedback.
- Conduct financial and utilization analysis of assigned benefit plans; propose strategies to address trends and improve value.
- Support annual planning, budgeting, and reporting for assigned programs.
- Work with division HR teams, Total Rewards managers to administer assigned benefit plans.
- Partner with Labor Relations to administer benefits for union-represented associates, including implementation and communication.
- Participate in cross-functional initiatives aimed at improving the associate experience.
- Oversee vendor relationships for assigned benefit plans, including performance reviews, issue resolution, and account management.
- Collaborate with Finance to establish and manage the Rewards and Recognition budget, including developing associated timelines to ensure alignment with organizational goals and fiscal planning.
- Review rates, renewals, and performance guarantee results with benefit plan analysts.
- Conduct year-end processes and ensure accurate reporting and compliance.
- Travel up to 10% to conferences and vendor facilities as needed to maintain industry knowledge and vendor partnerships.
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Minimum
- 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with a focus on voluntary benefits and recognition programs
- Strong understanding of benefit plan design, compliance, and financial analysis
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage vendor relationships
- Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
Desired
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- 5+ years previous benefits administration specifically in assigned benefit plans
What you’ll receive from us:
The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:
- A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
- Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
- Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching with Goldman Sachs Ayco.
- Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
- Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
- Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of experience in benefits administration, focused on voluntary benefits and recognition programs
- Strong understanding of benefit plan design, compliance, and financial analysis
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing vendor relationships
- Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
- 5+ years of benefits administration experience specifically in assigned benefit plans
Kroger Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Kroger and has not been reviewed or approved by Kroger.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage in many union divisions has been protected or improved in recent contracts, with some regions avoiding proposed cuts and others expanding spousal coverage and strengthening short‑term disability. Mental‑health resources and 24/7 access are also emphasized, supported by third‑party recognition in recent years.
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Retirement Support — Retirement options include a company 401(k) with a match and, in many union roles, access to pension or variable annuity plans that have been stabilized through recent agreements. Match levels and pension participation vary by division and role, so specifics require local confirmation.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Education assistance through “Feed Your Future” offers substantial tuition support for both part‑ and full‑time associates, alongside free financial coaching. Perks such as associate discounts and periodic Boost membership offers add incremental value to total rewards.
Kroger Insights
What We Do
At Kroger, we believe no matter who you are or how you like to shop, everyone deserves affordable, easy-to-enjoy, fresh food. This idea is embodied in our simple tagline—Fresh for Everyone™. Kroger ranks as one of the world’s largest retailers. We are nearly half a million associates across 2,800 stores in 35 states operating two dozen grocery retail brands and 34 manufacturing and 44 distribution locations, all dedicated to living our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. Together, we serve more than 11 million customers daily in our stores and online through convenient e-commerce options like pickup, ship and delivery, serving America through food inspiration and uplift. Customers love Our Brands, including the popular Kroger®, Private Selection® and Simple Truth® brands. Our own manufacturing plants produce many of Our Brands products, including breads, dairy products, meat and thousands of grocery items. We also believe in and are committed to doing our part to create #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025.
