Contract Compensation & Benefits Specialist
Forvia · Auburn Hills
Forvia, a sustainable mobility technology leader
We pioneer technology for mobility experience that matter to people.
Your mission, roles and responsibilities
Contract Role (at least 1 year) w/potential to full-time conversion
Position Summary
The Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist serves as a subject matter expert for compensation, benefits, wellness, and total rewards programs. This role is responsible for supporting the administration, compliance, analysis, and continuous improvement of compensation and benefits programs while ensuring alignment with business objectives and market competitiveness.
The primary focus of this position is supporting the management of third-party vendors that administer health, welfare, retirement, wellness, and total rewards programs, including self-insured benefit plans and associated compliance requirements. The Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, and Plant Leadership to deliver competitive reward strategies that attract, retain, and engage employees.
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Administration & Vendor Management
- Build and maintain relationships with third-party administrators (TPAs), insurance carriers, benefits consultants, brokers, wellness providers, retirement plan administrators, and other vendor partners.
· Support vendor selection, contract negotiations, renewals, performance reviews, and service-level agreement management.
- Support vendor selection activities, contract negotiations, renewals, performance reviews, and service-level agreement management.
- Evaluate vendor effectiveness, service quality, and plan performance while identifying opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
- Review claims utilization, healthcare trends, stop-loss performance, and benefit costs, providing recommendations to optimize plan effectiveness and financial sustainability.
- Coordinate annual open enrollment activities, employee education sessions, and related communications.
- Develop employee communications that clearly explain benefits programs, total rewards offerings, wellness initiatives, and policy changes.
- Promote employee wellness programs and engagement initiatives that enhance employee well-being and participation.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations related to compensation, benefits, and total rewards programs.
- Maintain compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, Section 125, and other applicable benefits regulations.
- Monitor legislative changes and recommend policy, process, and program updates as needed.
Business Partnership
- Partner with HR Business Partners, Finance, Plant Management, and business leaders to support reward strategies that align with organizational goals.
- Provide guidance and recommendations regarding benefits, compensation administration, workforce planning, and employee retention.
- Support organizational changes, acquisitions, workforce transitions, and other strategic business initiatives.
Analytics & Continuous Improvement
- Analyze benefits, compensation, vendor performance, and workforce data to identify trends and opportunities.
- Identify opportunities for automation, process improvements, and vendor optimization.
Your profile and competencies to succeed
Education
Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
Nice to Have
- Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
Professional Experience
Required
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in Compensation, Benefits, Total Rewards, Human Resources, or a related field.
- Minimum 2 years of experience managing and negotiating contracts and relationships with third-party benefits vendors, brokers, carriers, TPAs, and wellness providers
- · Knowledgeable in compliance requirements for self-funded/self-insured benefit plans.
- Experience administering self-insured health and welfare benefit programs.
- Experience coordinating annual open enrollment and employee benefits administration processes.
Preferred
- Automotive or manufacturing industry experience.
- Experience supporting both union and non-union employee populations.
- Experience supporting organizational transformations, acquisitions, or large-scale HR initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Advanced knowledge of compensation, benefits, and total rewards principles.
- Expertise in self-insured medical and welfare plan administration.
- Proven vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and employee education skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and HR analytics.
- Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems; SAP SuccessFactors preferred.
- Ability to manage confidential information with a high degree of professionalism.
What we can do for you
- At Forvia, you will find an engaging and dynamic environment where you can contribute to the development of sustainable mobility leading technologies.
- We are the seventh-largest global automotive supplier, employing more than 157,000 people in more than 40 countries which makes a lot of opportunity for career development.
- We welcome energetic and agile people who can thrive in a fast-changing environment. People who share our strong values. Team players with a collaborative mindset and a passion to deliver high standards for our clients. Lifelong learners. High performers. Globally minded people who aspire to work in a transforming industry, where excellence, speed, and quality count.
- We cultivate a learning environment, dedicating tools and resources to ensure we remain at the forefront of mobility. Our people enjoy an average of more than 22 hours of online and in-person training within FORVIA University (five campuses around the world)
- We offer a multicultural environment that values diversity and international collaboration. We believe that diversity is a strength. To create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity create real value for the company, we have adopted gender diversity targets and inclusion action plans.
- Achieving CO2 Net Zero as a pioneer of the automotive industry is a priority: In June 2022, Forvia became the first global automotive group to be certified with the new SBTI Net-Zero Standard (the most ambitious standard of SBTi), aligned with the ambition of the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Three principles guide our action: use less, use better and use longer, with a focus on recyclability and circular economy.
Why join us
FORVIA, a global automotive technology supplier, comprises the complementary technology and industrial strengths of Faurecia and HELLA.
With over 137 500 people, including more than 12,000 R&D engineers across 40+ countries, FORVIA provides a unique and comprehensive approach to the automotive challenges of today and tomorrow. Composed of 6 business groups and a strong IP portfolio of over 12,400 patents, FORVIA is focused on becoming the preferred innovation and integration partner for OEMs worldwide.
In 2025, the Group achieved a consolidated revenue of 26.2 billion euros prior to IFRS 5. FORVIA SE is listed on the Euronext Paris market under the FRVIA mnemonic code and is a component of the SBF 120 index.
FORVIA aims to be a change maker committed to foreseeing and making the mobility transformation happen. www.forvia.com