Benefits Specialist

Summary of Job Description:

The Benefits Specialist position is responsible for administering the company’s benefit programs. This position helps to ensure the company offers comprehensive and competitive benefits and associates know how to utilize them. The Benefits Specialist provides recommendations on changes to the programs to Benefits and HR leadership to ensure they remain competitive with peer organizations. This position works with the company’s benefits vendor on making changes to the programs either to enhance them or achieve greater efficiency. This position configures and maintains PRG’s benefits plan and programs in our HR system, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

You’ll get a chance to:

• Administer the company’s employee benefit programs to ensure they are properly administered and legally compliant.


• Conduct analysis to evaluate the rate structure and works with the benefits vendor (consulting firm) to identify changes to benefit plans to improve coverage and/or deliver benefits more cost effectively.


• Configure and maintain PRG’s benefits plan and programs within the Workday System, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.


• Oversee the annual open enrollment process, including system testing, employee communications, and data validation.


• Act as a primary point of contact for employees’ inquiries and concerns related to benefits, providing timely and accurate support and issue resolution.


• Collaborate with support teams and vendors to escalate and resolve complex technical or system-related issues.


• Create training guides and conduct training sessions and individual consultations at the Support Center and in the field for both Support Center and Operations associates to communicate the benefit options available as the basis for their making appropriate benefit selections.


• Communicate market competitiveness of benefit programs as a recruiting tool to candidates and HR Generalists.


• Analyze and evaluate benefit programs: Conduct regular analysis and benchmarking of benefits programs to ensure competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals.


• Make recommendations for improvements or changes to Benefits and HR leadership based on market trends, employee feedback, and cost considerations to ensure company benefits are fully competitive.


• Collect and analyze data related to benefits programs, such as enrollment statistics, utilization rates, costs, and employee feedback.


• Prepare reports, metrics, and presentations for management, highlighting key findings and making data-driven recommendations for program enhancements.

How we reward you:

• Hybrid Work schedule


• 401K with company match


• Yearly bonus opportunity*


• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *


• On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic


• Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships


• Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*


• Continuous education assistance and scholarships*


• Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*


• Bereavement leave*

*Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates

#LI-Hybrid

Your background and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; business and/or HR major preferred.


• Minimum five years of experience in HR, with at least three years in benefits, preferably in a retail/hospitality operations environment.


• Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.


• Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.

Panda Strong since 1983

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,000 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it’s impacting our team or the communities we work in, we’re proud to be an organization that embraces family values.

You’re wanted here

We value diversity in all forms and know the strength it brings. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to blossom, diverse points of view to be heard, and improves overall happiness. We like the sound of that.

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age and any other basis protected by the laws which apply where we operate. Panda provides accommodations for disabilities and religious observance purposes as required by law.