Compensation and Benefits Manager jobs in Bakersfield, CA

THE ROLE:    

• This position will report to the: Director Health & Safety
• Location: Bakersfield, CA  
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Employment Category: Full Time 

STRONG HISTORY. EXCITING FUTURE. 

Established in 2023, New Carrot Company, operating under the name Bolthouse Fresh Foods, is headquartered in the California Central Valley community of Bakersfield. Specializing in carrot production, the company caters to both retail and food service operations and is renowned for its Bolthouse Farms brand, widely distributed in major retailers across the United States and Canada.

Bolthouse Fresh Foods is a subsidiary of Butterfly Equity, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm with a specialty in the food sector. Butterfly Equity's expertise spans the entire food value chain, from 'seed to fork,' with a focus on agriculture & aquaculture, food & beverage products, food distribution, and foodservice. 

Bolthouse Fresh Foods has approximately 1,600 employees. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THIS ROLE  

The Workers' Compensation Manager is responsible for managing a workers' compensation loss control program. Under general direction, the Workers' Compensation Manager will collaborate with all employees, their managers, health care providers, the third-party claims administrator, and contractors, as well as the legal department and other Human Resources staff to ensure fair, consistent, and timely handling of workers' compensation claims.

In addition, the Workers' Compensation Manager will research, investigate, and analyze workers' compensation and disability claims. The Workers' Compensation Manager will also review, improve, and develop policy and procedures, case summaries, statistical and narrative reports, and training manuals and will serve as the liaison to employees, their managers, and the third-party claims administrator on matters pertaining to workers' compensation, temporary work arrangements, return to work, interactive processes, agreements, and other matters related to industrial injuries and related disabilities.

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JOB DUTIES:

• Perform research and assessments on workers' compensation claims.
• Prepare reports and responses related to discovery requests and informational subpoenas for review by the legal department or outside counsel.
• Organize, categorize, and summarize research results gathered from case files and other relevant records and documents.
• Interview injured employees, their managers, medical care providers, witnesses, and others to obtain information, testimony, and evidence.
• Collaborate with the claims administrator and providers to determine the compensability of injuries to employees and the appropriate issuance of workers' compensation benefits as outlined by the Labor Code and exercise settlement authority when appropriate.
• Engage with and assess the placement and monitoring of injured employees in permanent and temporary modified and alternate work assignments; manage return to work.
• Provide training for managers regarding workers' compensation procedures and guidelines, disability management, and any other applicable program and/or federal and state laws covering injured workers.
• Assists with the preparation of the workers comp program budget.
• Oversees, evaluates, and manages the workers compensation (EFL) estimated future liability.
• Communicates claims cost and reserve information as required per the annual report and to financial auditors as necessary.
• Advises executives, department managers and supervisors about the status of claims, loss experience trends and program costs.
• Oversees and monitors the activities and performance of the workers' compensation third party claims administrator.
• Monitors, reviews, and advises on all claim settlements up to specified level of authority proposed by the third-party claims’ administrator.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR   

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 6 plus years’ experience with the administration or management of Workers' Compensation claims and self-insured claims administration
• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of a BA Degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, insurance, or a related field
• State of California Worker's Compensation laws and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules and regulations.
• WCCP Designation (workers compensation claims professional)
• Valid California Driver License

Required Skills And Abilities: 

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with the injured/ill employee, the medical provider community, the TPA (third party administrator), facility supervisors, safety, and human resources departments. 
• Ability to interpret and organize financial and legal documents for the purpose of determining and delineating trends and preparing periodic presentations for senior management.
• Strong organizational, interviewing and listening skills.
• Working knowledge of worker's compensation laws
• Strong interpersonal and customer service-oriented skills
• Ability to make complete an accurate analysis, reports, and recommendations. 
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences, and implement recommendations in support of targeted outcomes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bi-lingual Spanish and English are preferred.
• Medical terminology and proper treatment protocols for industrial injuries.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Use hands and fingers dexterously to operate office equipment; to sit; and occasionally stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, reach with hands and arms, etc.

WHAT WE OFFER 
 

Our rich benefits packages are designed to support the health and well-being of both our eligible co-workers and their families.   

• Medical  
• Dental  
• Vision  
• Group Life and AD&D  
• Voluntary Life and AD&D  
• Group Short-Term Disability  
• Group Long-Term Disability  
• Flexible Spending Accounts  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• 401(k)  
• Paid Time Off  

 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 
 We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse organization. We strive for inclusiveness and a workplace where mutual respect is paramount. We encourage applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status. We will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, as need, to assist them in performing essential job functions. 
 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS 
 Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you are interested in applying for employment with Bolthouse Farms and need special assistance to apply for a posted position, or if you believe you do not meet any of the required qualifications of a posted position due to a protected disability and would like to explore the possibility of an accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at: TalentAcquisition@bolthousefresh.com for additional support and guidance. 

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: 
 Bolthouse Fresh Foods does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Bolthouse Farms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.