Responsible for planning, developing, implementing, administering, and maintaining benefits, health, and wellness programs that support the company’s Total Rewards philosophy, objectives, competitive position, and local practices. Manages implementation, coordination, evaluation, and adaptation of health and wellness programs including medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, retirement, and short- and long-term disability. Provides TMS and leadership with ongoing consultation. Develops processes and tools which facilitate the administration and ongoing management of effective, equitable, and legally compliant programs. Negotiates benefits coverage, services, and costs with carriers and brokers. Interacts with internal WFM’s functions such as Legal and Procurement to ensure overall compliance with WFM’s policies.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the design and development of health and wellness programs and projects.
• Researches complex benefits programs / processes and recommends data-supported and evidence-based changes to improve overall effectiveness.
• Provides financial analysis and program costing for benefits plans and budget projections.
• Engages with business partners, leadership, and Team Members on benefits philosophy, policy, and procedures.
• Engages with leadership to develop new benefits, health, and wellness guidelines and propose updates to current guidelines.
• Ensures benefits guidelines facilitate competitive, equitable, and cost-effective benefits programs.
• Evaluates effectives of current programs / plans and makes recommendations to TMS leadership regarding improvements or changes to gain better alignment with industry best practices and with company objectives.
• Oversees the relationship with various benefits vendors and service providers.
• Represents the Benefits Team in meetings with other teams and vendors.
• Ensures WFM is receiving optimal service from vendors and providers.
• Facilitates identification and resolution of vendor / provider issues.
• Manages projects to improve benefits systems, processes, and effectiveness.
• Collaborates with IT teams to ensure proper technical support for various benefits or Total Reward processes and programs.
• Develops recommendations for changes and improvements to benefits processes, ensuring alignment with company policies and philosophy.

Skills:

• In-depth understanding of benefits practices and systems to serve as an influential thought leader across the organization.
• In-depth understanding of benefits practices and systems to serve as an influential thought leader across the organization.
• Ability to assess benefits, health, and wellness program effectiveness.
• In-depth knowledge of HRIS and related information management systems.
• Creates a reputation of communicating effectively with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and partners.
• Recognizes potential employee relations issues in a proactive manner, either resolving the issue or referring to higher levels.
• Mediates difficult interactions, escalating problems as appropriate.
• Derives evidence-based insights to recommend changes and influence leadership decision-making.
• Masters research methods and their application in the development and application of benefits, health, and wellness processes.
• Differentiates best practices that will work within the organization.
• Executes case and pilot studies to evaluate and address specific problems and questions. 
• Possesses clear understanding of WFM’s business objectives, competitive strengths, and opportunities.
• Understands industry trends and emerging challenges from the perspective of people development, rewards, and retention.
• Demonstrates excellent knowledge of the WFM product mix, supply base, and retail operations.
• Collaborates with functional and cross-functional Team Members on a regular basis internally and externally.
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.
• Models commitment to customer service.

Education & Experience:

• BA/BS degree and 4-6years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.