HR Generalist: Benefits, Wellness & Leave Management Specialist

Description

About the Role
The HR Generalist — Benefits, Wellness & Leave Management   Specialist serves as a trusted employee resource and key functional   specialist supporting benefits administration, wellness initiatives, and   leave management across AKG’s NC and SD locations. This role combines   day-to-day HR Generalist responsibilities with ownership and coordination of employee benefits programs, wellness activities, and leave administration   processes to ensure positive employee experience, strong compliance   practices, and consistent support across the organization.  

This position works closely with employees, managers, payroll, vendors, and HR leadership to provide responsive   support, maintain accurate records, ensure compliance with   applicable laws and company policies, and support employee well-being   initiatives aligned with The AKG Way.  This position reports directly to the on-site HR Manager for day-to-day supervision and operational support   and maintains a matrix reporting relationship with the HR Manager overseeing Benefits & Wellness for functional guidance and alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Employee Support Administer company-sponsored benefits programs (medical, dental, vision, life,   disability, voluntary, retirement, and company-paid plans). 

Process billing invoices, enrollments, life events, terminations, and updates accurately and timely. 

Maintain benefit records in HRIS and vendor systems. 

Serve as the primary contact for employee benefit inquiries, issue resolution, and education. 

Support Open Enrollment (communications, testing, enrollments, meetings). 

Partner with Payroll on deductions and discrepancies. 

Coordinate with vendors/carriers on eligibility files, invoices, reporting, and issues. 

Ensure compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, Medicare Part D, and related regulations. 

Prepare benefits of documentation and communication materials.

Support benchmarking, program evaluation, and continuous improvement. 

Assist with 401(k) administration and audits with vendors and   finance.

Wellness Program Coordination Support implementation and coordination of wellness initiatives, campaigns, and well-being programs across locations. 

Assist with communication, outreach, engagement, and education. 

Coordinate events (Lunch & Learns, screenings, wellness fairs, flu shots, awareness campaigns). 

Partner with vendors, clinic staff, carriers, and internal teams. 

Track participation, engagement, metrics, and feedback. Develop communications, newsletters, incentives, and resources. 

Promote EAP and wellness programs. 

Ensure compliance with HIPAA, ADA, GINA, ACA, and support initiatives that encourage engagement and preventive care.

Leave Management   Administration -Serve as a primary resource for employees and managers on leave programs. Administer FMLA, ADA accommodations, STD, LTD, personal, military, bereavement, and statutory leaves. 

Manage end-to-end leave processes (intake, documentation, tracking, communication, return-to-work). 

Partner with third-party administrators

Maintain accurate,   audit-ready records in HRIS.

Support ADA interactive   process and accommodation documentation. Coordinate with Payroll on pay,   deductions, and coverage during leave. 

Communicate timelines, requirements, and expectations clearly. 

HR Generalist Core Responsibilities Provide timely guidance on HR   policies, benefits, systems, and resources. 

Maintain confidentiality and professionalism. 

Support employee relations and escalate issues as needed. Support   engagement initiatives, recognition programs, wellness efforts, surveys, and   events. 

Assist with feedback collection and action planning. Reinforce   organizational culture. 

Maintain HRIS records, reporting, auditing, and data accuracy. 

Process employee transactions (boarding, offboarding, status   changes, leave, org updates). Generate standard and ad hoc reports.

Participate in HR projects   (compliance, engagement, process improvements, policy updates, workflow   enhancements). Document procedures and recommend efficiency improvements. 

Support program and system implementations. Support administration   and communication of HR policies. 

Track compliance activities (training, leave, acknowledgments,   documentation). 

Stay current on employment laws, HR trends, and best practices.

Safety Standard:

At AKG, safety is a core part of The AKG Way and a shared responsibility of every employee. We are committed to creating and   maintaining a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace where everyone looks for one another. All employees are expected to follow company safety rules,   procedures, and protocols. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by   the company and must be worn in all designated areas. Tools, machinery, and equipment should always be used carefully and responsibly to protect both   yourself and your co-workers. Employees are encouraged to speak up about   unsafe conditions, ask questions, and be part of the solution in helping us   continuously improve workplace safety. Because safety is critical to   protecting our employees and operations, violations of AKG’s safety standards   and procedures are taken very seriously and will be handled as such. By   working together and keeping safety at the center of what we do, we help ensure that everyone goes home safely each day.

AKG Way: Teamwork,   Respecting others, Accountability, and Being part of the solution

Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with HR, Payroll, Benefits, Operations, vendors, and leadership to deliver seamless employee support,   resolve issues, and achieve organizational goals.

Respecting others: Demonstrates emotional intelligence by handling employee concerns with empathy, professionalism, and confidentiality,   ensuring employees feel heard, supported, and valued.

Accountability: Maintains accuracy and attention to detail in benefits of administration, leave management, HRIS data, and compliance   documentation while meeting deadlines and owning outcomes.

Being part of the solution: Identifies and drives improvements in employee experience, communication, workflows, and HR processes; adapts to changing needs and proactively resolves challenges.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Statement

AKG North America is committed to providing equal employment   opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color,   religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age,   disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic   protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

AKG North America is also committed to providing reasonable   accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to employees   with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices,   or observances, in accordance with applicable law. Employees who require   accommodation to perform the essential functions of their position should   contact Human Resources to discuss their needs and participate in the interactive   process.

Disclaimer:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be   able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements   listed above are representative of the   knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable   accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform   the essential functions. This job description reflects the general   nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover   or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or   responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change, or new   ones may be assigned at any time.  

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and   level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of   all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position.   Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned to   meet business needs.

Why Join AKG

At AKG, we believe our people are the key to our success. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on the employee experience — helping ensure our teams feel supported, informed, and valued every day.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or   related field preferred 

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in Benefits Administration,   Leave Management, and HR Generalist support

• Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA/ADAAA, STD, LTD, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA,   ERISA, USERRA, and applicable leave and benefits regulations 

• Experience administering   employee benefits and leave programs in a multi-site or manufacturing   environment preferred  

• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Paylocity, UKG, or similar   systems preferred  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word,   Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams  

• CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP, or   similar HR certification preferred  

• Experience supporting multi-site HR operations and employee   programs preferred  

• Bilingual Spanish/English skills preferred

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to   build positive working relationships across all levels of the   organization 

• Ability to communicate   effectively with both office and production employees in a professional,   approachable, and supportive manner 

• Strong organizational and   time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities,   deadlines, and projects simultaneously  

• High level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion   when handling employee information and sensitive matters  

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in   reporting, documentation, compliance tracking, and employee support  

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively   within a team environment 

• Strong critical-thinking   and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset  

• Comfortable speaking with employees individually and in group   settings, including employee meetings or wellness activities  

• Ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities and   business needs  

• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus

Physical Demands:

Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, and regularly   move between office and manufacturing environments. Occasionally lift/carry   up to 25 lbs., use office equipment and presentation tools for extended   periods, and conduct group presentations or meetings. Ability to travel   between locations, meetings, or external events and participate in off-shift   activities, including occasional third-shift support (approx. 2–3 times per   year). Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise,   machinery, forklifts, and temperature variations; required PPE must be worn   in designated areas. Position requires scheduling flexibility; reasonable   accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities   to perform essential functions.