Find & Apply For Human Resources Manager Jobs in Artesia, New Mexico

Position Overview The HR & Benefits Manager provides advanced human resources leadership, directing all core HR initiatives, complex fiduciary plan administration, and compliance protocols. This role directly manages a dedicated 3-person HR and payroll team, takes comprehensive ownership of multiple high-value self-insured welfare, retirement, and executive non-qualified plans, and oversees an exclusive onsite health clinic partnership to optimize workforce wellness and mitigate healthcare cost expenditures. Direct Reports & Team Management

HR & Payroll Team Management:

Directly supervises, coaches, and develops a 3-person operational team handling payroll processing, benefit updates, and core HR generalist services.

Oversight:

Ensures cross-training, operational accuracy, and exceptional internal customer service delivery across all corporate personnel workflows. Key Responsibilities

Employee Inquiry Resolution:

Serve as the direct, high-touch escalation point for all frontline employee inquiries pertaining to health insurance, claims resolution, 401(k) and defined benefit pension, ensuring clear and supportive communication of complex corporate benefits.

Self-Insured Welfare Plans:

Act as the primary fiduciary administrator for two self-insured ERISA Welfare Plans. Coordinate closely with Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and brokers, manage stop-loss insurance policies, and perform tracking of high-dollar clinical claims to safeguard fund solvency.

Retirement Plan Administration:

Govern compliance, recordkeeping, and formal annual reporting (including Form 5500) for two distinct

ERISA 401

(k) Plans and one Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plan. Coordinate regular investment committee reviews and compliance audits.

Renewals & Open Enrollment:

Orchestrate annual benefit plan renewals in concert with insurance brokers, negotiate contractual terms with healthcare providers, and direct company-wide communication and system deployment for annual open enrollment periods.

Health Clinic Management:

Direct and manage the comprehensive vendor contract with a local hospital provider to staff, supply, and operate a dedicated, exclusive employee health clinic. Align preventative health strategies and occupational screening metrics with self-insured plan benchmarks to optimize medical cost containment.

HIPAA Compliance & Privacy Governance:

Maintain strict HIPAA compliance across all HR operations, the dedicated health clinic interface, and self-insured plan administrations. Establish, audit, and safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) access protocols, execute required Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), and champion ongoing privacy training for the HR/payroll team.

Core HR & Payroll Auditing:

Provide high-level regulatory oversight to ensure accurate multi-state payroll processing, maintaining strict alignment with internal corporate financial controls, wage-and-hour compliance, and external tax auditing standards

Employee & Labor Relations:

Guide the internal team in resolving complex employee relations issues, conducting workplace investigations, maintaining/updating policies and procedures including the corporate Employee Handbook. Ensure all company policies conform to evolving federal, state and local labor laws. Required Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related professional field.

Core Experience:

8-12+ years of progressive, professional HR experience, including a minimum of 3-5 years of direct team leadership or supervisory management.

Technical Knowledge:

Advanced understanding of ERISA framework, ACA compliance mandates, TPA coordination, and Defined Benefit pension governance.

Technical Tools:

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel). Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's HRIS applications.

Physical Requirements:

• Office-based, prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Minimal travel may be required for meetings/training or conferences.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Must be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a drug screening and background check. We offer an excellent working environment and outstanding compensation and benefits package. Application closing date - November 06, 2026 For consideration, please apply online at www.mec.com or www.indeed.com

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Pay:

From $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person