MARIE UNDERKOFFLER
Halifax,USA
Summary
Results-driven leader specializing in executive compensation and benefits, successfully implementing strategic HR initiatives at Weis Markets. Achieved a 20% reduction in expenses through automation of HR, benefits, and payroll processes. Proven ability to foster effective communication and partnerships, aligning business strategy with talent acquisition to enhance organizational performance.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Compensation and Benefits
WEIS MARKETS INC
Sunbury, PA
10.2013 - Current
- Directed compensation and benefits administration for 22,000 associates across seven states.
- Managed vendor and broker relationships to ensure compliance with service standards.
- Executed RFP processes, achieving $305K annual reduction in commissions while maintaining coverage quality.
- Facilitated retirement broker selection, reducing expenses by 20% and increasing participation by 82% through auto-enrollment.
- Contributed to transition from PeopleSoft to Workday, enhancing efficiency in benefit administration.
- Oversee a team of six in administering health and welfare, compensation, leave of absence, retirement programs and ACA compliance.
- Developed communications strategy to inform associates about benefits policies throughout the year.
- Negotiated health benefits renewal contracts to ensure competitive compensation alignment with market standards.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
Director, System Applications & Labor Wage Compliance
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
03.2012 - 10.2013
- Recommended initiatives that enhanced morale and increased associate engagement.
- Acted as strategic partner, aligning HR, Compensation, Benefits, and HRIS with organizational goals.
- Oversaw compensation administration for 90,000 associates under 34 union contracts with an $800 million budget.
- Managed administration of 149 compensation pay progressions to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Maintained SOX controls for Benefits and Retirement functions to mitigate risks.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
Director, Compensation
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
03.2010 - 04.2012
- Prepared detailed job descriptions and established classification systems for job levels.
- Directed daily operations to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
- Distributed compensation information through written and verbal communication methods.
- Evaluated organizational structure, job design, and succession planning processes.
- Monitored market trends in total rewards to improve compensation program effectiveness.
- Managed pay policies to align with company pay philosophy.
- Developed budgets while providing analytical support on labor cost impacts.
- Analyzed budgetary effects of overall 2.2%-2.5% labor cost increase on departmental expenses.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
Director, HR Systems Support
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
08.2007 - 02.2010
- Outsourced benefits management while maintaining departmental responsibilities as project manager for $18M project.
- Created service scope and designed interface requirements for internal and external stakeholders.
- Identified administrative challenges related to inaccuracies in associate accruals within Benefits and Compensation.
- Rectified payroll system issues by implementing controls in AS400 to enhance accuracy.
- Streamlined billing, deductions, and wage progression processes through workflow design.
- Directed creation of tools to assist associates with benefits selection during eligibility periods.
- Oversaw development of programs and metrics to evaluate performance across multiple HR functions.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
Senior Manager, HR Systems Support
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
06.2003 - 07.2007
- Analyzed HRIS administrative department, assessed skill sets, and reorganized to maximize efficiency.
- Evaluated Health & Welfare billing area, collaborating with union administrators.
- Automated invoicing processes, generating weekly hire and termination reports.
- Created seniority reports and streamlined leave of absence procedures.
- Implemented productivity-enhancing programs that increased job satisfaction.
- Served as liaison between customers and HRIS developers, ensuring clear communication.
- Provided solutions by writing requirements and creating file specifications.
- Oversaw testing procedures prior to production implementation.
- Executed appropriate staffing and budgetary plans to align with business forecasts.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development.
- Held monthly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business.
- Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
Manager, Systems Operations
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
06.2000 - 05.2003
- Executed annual pay increases for 95,000 associates, incorporating tenure and premium adjustments.
- Conducted performance reviews to evaluate team member contributions and development.
- Assigned tasks based on team member skillsets to enhance overall efficiency.
- Developed strategies that significantly improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Implemented process improvements to boost operational efficiency across departments.
- Streamlined communication channels to enhance information flow and expedite decision-making.
- Created automated processes for staggered pay increases aligned with divisional performance.
- Transitioned 401(k) provider from Prudential to T. Rowe Price, improving retirement options.
Supervisor, Benefit Representatives
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
05.1999 - 08.2000
- Strategically led department through planning, controlling, and optimizing work activities.
Motivated personnel with targeted training and support for improvement initiatives.
Fostered positive environment by enforcing company policies and serving as role model.
Provided timely, constructive feedback to enhance associate performance and development.
Conducted weekly audits of representatives to uphold high-quality operational standards.
Benefits Business Analyst I
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
06.1997 - 07.1999
- Developed cost model and projections for 86 Health & Welfare plans.
Designed dashboard for executive management to analyze high-volume claims in retail stores and distribution centers. - Designed test plans, scenarios, scripts, cases, and results matrices to validate system functionality.
- Drafted functional specifications documents outlining project scope, objectives and deliverables.
- Gathered feedback from end users regarding usability issues related to applications or systems.
- Evaluated business processes for improvement opportunities through automation or streamlining.
- Developed reports using SQL queries to track progress against key performance indicators.
Strategic Business Solutions Administrator
RITE AID CORPORATION
Etters, PA
04.1996 - 05.1997
- Built strong partnership with the executive staff to ensure that managers and associates worked collaboratively to achieve business goals company wide. Supported director, 4 managers and 6 analysts in project timelines to streamline department functionality, reduce overhead and shrink.
Circulation Manager
CENTRAL PENN BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisburg, PA
03.1994 - 03.1996
- Boost subscriber service and operational efficiency through assessment of delivery methods, resolution of subscriber, carrier, and distributor concerns, and expansion of audience reach in both online and print formats.
Group Administrative Manager, Recreation Magazine Group
COWLES MAGAZINES, INC
Denver, CO
01.1992 - 03.1994
- Acted as primary contact for administrative matters related to Vice President/Publishing Director.
Developed and executed sales compensation plans for eight advertising representatives.
Facilitated educational programs on technologies supporting business strategies for senior and middle management.
Coordinated communications among circulation, production, operations, accounting, ad sales, research, and retail vision.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Economics
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA12-1991
Specialized Associates - Supervisory Management
Central Penn Business School
Enola, PA05-1990
Skills
- Information technology management
- Policy and program development
- Executive compensation and benefits
- Business strategy
- Talent acquisition
- HR, benefits, and payroll automation
- Workday process improvement
- Regulatory compliance
- Human resources management
- Partnerships and alliances
- Effective communication
- Budget management
Timeline
Director, Compensation and Benefits
WEIS MARKETS INC
10.2013 - Current
Director, System Applications & Labor Wage Compliance
RITE AID CORPORATION
03.2012 - 10.2013
Director, Compensation
RITE AID CORPORATION
03.2010 - 04.2012
Director, HR Systems Support
RITE AID CORPORATION
08.2007 - 02.2010
Senior Manager, HR Systems Support
RITE AID CORPORATION
06.2003 - 07.2007
Manager, Systems Operations
RITE AID CORPORATION
06.2000 - 05.2003
Supervisor, Benefit Representatives
RITE AID CORPORATION
05.1999 - 08.2000
Benefits Business Analyst I
RITE AID CORPORATION
06.1997 - 07.1999
Strategic Business Solutions Administrator
RITE AID CORPORATION
04.1996 - 05.1997
Circulation Manager
CENTRAL PENN BUSINESS JOURNAL
03.1994 - 03.1996
Group Administrative Manager, Recreation Magazine Group
COWLES MAGAZINES, INC
01.1992 - 03.1994
Bachelor of Science - Business Economics
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Specialized Associates - Supervisory Management
Central Penn Business School
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