Summary
Description
Position Summary
The position will support various Operating Company payroll and HR staff in the compliance activities for the 401(k) Plan with assets of over $780M. Acting as a “trusted advisor” to stakeholders across Saltchuk’s 6 business units and 30+ Operating Companies, this role supports the business in day-to-day trouble shooting of plan issues and questions as well as data issues affecting the 401(k) recordkeeper.
The role also supports the Senior Benefits Manager with health and welfare benefit administration and vendor management.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Provide expert knowledge of all retirement plan documents and policies and analyst support for the administration of the company’s 401(k) plan ensuring compliance with ERISA, IRS, and DOL regulations.
- Be the go-to subject matter expert, and problem solver, when HR and payroll teams have questions or issues that need to be addressed, and partner with those teams to process employee contributions, loans, distributions, and other plan transactions accurately and on time.
- Support integration activities for mergers and acquisitions.
- Ensure compliance with Plan documents and governmental regulations, and coordinate annual compliance testing, and support all compliance-related tasks, including, but not limited to, internal and external audits, nondiscrimination testing, required government filings (e.g., Form 5500), participant notices and disclosures, testing and reporting.
- Support in the maintenance of data integrity between all internal and external systems by performing routine audits and reconciliations & managing benefit funding processes.
- Monitor and analyze plan performance, vendor service levels, and fees; provide recommendations for improvements and cost efficiencies.
- Ensure data integrity and maintain accurate payroll and recordkeeper processes.
- Attend calls with Saltchuk’s ERISA counsel to discuss issues, plan modifications or amendments.
- Serve as Secretary for the Saltchuk 401(k) Plan Administrative Committee, taking minutes during the meetings and publishing for review shortly after.
- Work closely with our Fidelity Account Management team as a key point of contact for the Saltchuk Family of Companies.
- Provide support for Saltchuk’s annual Health Savings Account processes with Fidelity.
Secondary Job Responsibilities
- Provide back up support for daily operations of health & welfare benefit plans, including vendor coordination, issue resolution, and compliance activities.
- Support business units and operating companies’ human resources and payroll departments on escalated employee retirement, benefit issues or compliance questions.
- Support annual benefits open enrollment during planning and execution, reviewing communication materials that educate and engage our employee population.
- Strengthen and streamline benefit processes by implementing procedures that improve data accuracy, reduce errors, and ensure consistent information flow to stakeholders.
- Crosstrain across retirement and health/welfare benefits to provide team flexibility, business continuity, and broader subject-matter expertise.
- Assist in data analysis and reporting.
- Other duties as assigned in support of the Sr. Benefits Manager and Saltchuk strategies.
Qualifications & Experience
- The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of progressively responsible employee benefits experience in an employer environment; supporting multiple business units or subsidiaries strongly preferred.
- Deep subject matter expertise in 401(k) plan administration required.
- A keen eye for data inconsistencies, errors, accuracy and attention to detail.
- A collaborative style with strong team orientation is essential. Known for being approachable, supportive, non-judgmental, and welcoming questions and concerns.
- Previous experience working with 401(k) record keepers (i.e., Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.)
- Strong understanding of compliance requirements and best practices related to benefit plans (health and retirement).
- Demonstrated success working in complex, multi-entity environments (control groups, acquisitions, multiple payroll systems).
- Vendor and consultant management experience, with the ability to hold external partners accountable.
- Strong project and process management skills with a demonstrated track record of delivering on deadlines across multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for communicating complex information to colleagues of all levels and backgrounds.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required; intermediate skill level with PowerPoint and Word, including creating and delivering employee benefit education materials.
- Demonstrated experience writing policies, procedures, and planning communications.
- Advanced knowledge in health benefits plan design and administration (self-insured plan management experience is a plus).
Education
- Bachelor’s degree
- Benefit certifications preferred (RPA and/or CEBS)
Saltchuk Overview
Saltchuk companies do more than just move goods – we connect and empower communities through essential freight transportation, marine services, and energy distribution networks that form the backbone of regional commerce and daily life. From remote Alaskan villages to Caribbean ports, our companies ensure communities have reliable access to the resources they need to thrive. We don't simply transport cargo; we create vital links that sustain local economies, support families, and strengthen the fabric of the communities we serve.
As a privately-owned family of transportation and distribution companies headquartered in Seattle, with combined revenues of $6B and nearly 9,000 employees, we are organized into six business units that oversee the operation and growth of our diverse portfolio of operating companies. Behind every journey we undertake and every delivery we make is a promise of safety, reliability, and dedication—to our employees, our customers, and the regions we serve.
Our commitment extends far beyond business operations. We are dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve, whether through mentoring future leaders or responding when disaster strikes. Environmental stewardship is core to our mission, with a steadfast commitment to a cleaner, greener tomorrow that includes protecting our oceans and air and safeguarding the world we share.
At Saltchuk, we seek people who share our values and take pride in being professional, collaborative, and team oriented. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where we would all be proud for our children to work, making it an extraordinary place to build a long-term career.
Pay & Benefits
We’re committed to taking care of you and your family, today and in the future.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Compensation
- Competitive base annual salary range: $90,000 – $118,000, depending on experience and qualifications
- Eligibility for annual target bonus of 20% of base salary
- Total Cash Compensation, at target bonus ranges from $108,000 – $141,600
- Health & Wellness
- Employer‑subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family/dependents
- Employer‑paid life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and short‑term and long-term disability coverage
- Retirement
- Generous 401(k) plan with a 4% company match, plus an additional 3% discretionary company contribution to help you save for your future
- Paid Time Off
- 3 weeks’ vacation annually
- 9 company holidays + 2 personal holidays each year
- 12 days of sick leave annually
- Flexibility & Balance
- Work‑from‑home on Fridays, for foreseeable future
- Currently offering 2 weeks of remote work each year, plus the option to work from home around Thanksgiving and Christmas, giving you more time with loved ones during the holidays
- Extras that Make a Difference
- Free ORCA transportation card plus $50 monthly parking/transportation subsidy
- Up to $10,000 per year in charitable matched giving program to support causes and organizations you care about
- Up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance to assist with career development and growth
We'd love to hear from you!
Send your resume to Careers@saltchuk.com
Saltchuk is a family of diversified transportation and distribution companies with a vision to serve our customers by being the best in North America, and we are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We celebrate diversity and are committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals have an equal chance to thrive with us, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by law. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our organization in a work environment where anyone would be proud for their children to work.
Check out more of what we do at www.saltchuk.com.
