Retirement Benefits Analytics Manager

Kroger•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

Serve as a strategic resource for evaluating, forecasting, and optimizing the organization’s health, welfare, and retirement programs (as assigned) for both company-sponsored benefits and those provided to collectively bargained associates covered in multi-employer benefit plans. Leverage advanced analytics to inform plan design, cost containment strategies, and vendor performance. Work closely with Total Rewards and Labor Relations, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure benefit programs are financially sound and aligned with corporate objectives and associate needs. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Requirements

Minimum 5+ years of experience in benefit plan management and administration or financial/underwriting/actuarial experience
Ability to conduct analysis of data
Ability to persuade others and gain consensus
Ability to effectively deliver formal presentations to all levels of an organization
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent attention to detail; results oriented
Excellent follow-up and follow through skills
Independent decision-making abilities
Proven ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Excellent oral/written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree
3+ years of experience in benefit plan management and administration or financial/underwriting/actuarial or data analytics experience
Any experience conducting cost analysis
Any accounting experience

Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth financial modeling for health and welfare or retirement benefit plans as assigned.
Evaluate contribution strategies, rate structures, and funding models to support long range plan, budget planning for company plan benefits and collective bargaining agreements.
Monitor plan funding status and assist in forecasting future liabilities for company plans and Taft Hartley plans.
Partner with Finance Costing team and Finance HR Business Partner to ensure benefits financial models including pension obligations support company financial objectives.
Analyze benefit enrollment and utilization, cost trends, and ROI across programs using company plan data warehouse, vendor data, trust fund reporting.
Develop dashboards and reports for senior leadership to guide strategic decisions.
Manage the annual development of associate contribution strategy and accrual rates.
Provide strategic support for multi-employer benefit plans, including participation in trust fund committees, actuarial reviews, and collective bargaining preparation.
Support vendor selection and evaluation through data-driven performance reviews and fee analysis.
Monitor regulatory changes (ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, IRS) and partner with Benefits Administration team to assess impact on benefit programs.
Assist with internal and external audits for benefit plans in support of Benefits Administration team.
Partner with Benefits Administration team, Labor Relations, Accounting, Treasury, Legal, and others to align benefit analytics with enterprise goals.
Provide analytical support for union negotiations and workforce planning initiatives.
Partner with Labor Relations to prepare cost models and benefit impact analyses for union negotiations.
Provide data-driven insights to support bargaining strategy and contract compliance.
Review benchmarking studies to assess plan competitiveness and market positioning.
Track industry trends and legislative developments to inform proactive benefit strategy.
Present insights and recommendations to stakeholders across Total Rewards, Labor Relations, Associate Experience leadership, and Finance.
Contribute to trust fund governance discussions, including funding strategy, compliance, and fiduciary oversight.
Participate as needed in collective bargaining process and trust fund committees.
Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.