Human Resources Operations Analyst - Hartson Kennedy

Hartson-Kennedy Inc. manufactures and fabricates laminate countertops. We are seeking an HR Operations Analyst for our corporate offices and manufacturing facility in Marion, IN.

Position Summary: The HR Operations Analyst supports accurate, compliant, and efficient HR operations across benefits, recruiting, onboarding, employee support, HRIS data, compliance documentation, reporting, reconciliations, audits, and process improvement. This role partners with HR leadership, managers, employees, Finance, vendors, auditors, brokers, and third-party administrators to maintain records, resolve issues, strengthen controls, and support a positive employee experience.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Recruitment and Onboarding: Coordinate job postings, candidate communications, interviews, offers, pre-employment activities, onboarding, orientation, and related documentation.
• Employee Relations and HR Support: Respond to employee and manager questions, support communications, engagement activities, performance and disciplinary documentation, and maintain confidentiality.
• Benefits Administration: Administer benefit programs, resolve employee and retiree inquiries, reconcile invoices and deductions, support annual enrollment, audits, testing, filings, COBRA, and required documentation.
• Retirement Plan Administration: Reconcile deferrals, employer contributions, loan repayments, eligibility, enrollments, contribution changes, match calculations, funding reports, audits, Form 5500 support, notices, and discrepancies.
• HRIS, Reporting, Compliance, and Process Improvement: Maintain HR data, prepare reports and dashboards, support audits and record retention, develop checklists and procedures, evaluate process gaps, and protect confidential information.

Key Working Relationships:

• Works closely with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Operations, leadership, supervisors, managers, employees, benefit brokers, carriers, retirement plan administrators, auditors, payroll partners, and other service providers.

Key Performance Expectations:

• Complete HR operations tasks, reconciliations, reports, audits, filings, and corrective actions accurately and on time.
• Maintain complete, accurate employee, benefit, retirement, recruiting, and compliance records.
• Reduce discrepancies through strong controls, documentation, communication, and root-cause problem solving.
• Identify process improvements, reporting needs, and opportunities to improve service quality and efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Three or more years of experience in HR operations, benefits, retirement plan administration, HR compliance, payroll support, recruiting coordination, or a related function.
• Experience maintaining HR records, reconciling data, resolving discrepancies, preparing reports, and supporting audits or compliance activities.
• Working knowledge of employment and benefits requirements such as EEOC, FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related administration practices.
• Strong Excel, HRIS, benefits, payroll, ATS, Microsoft Office, analytical, organizational, documentation, communication, confidentiality, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with self-funded or partially self-funded benefit plans, ACA, COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, compliance calendars, audits, or financial reconciliation processes.
• Experience in a manufacturing, distribution, multi-location, or hourly workforce environment.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, CEBS, or related credential.