Benefits Analyst

Posted:
2/13/2026, 3:41:00 AM

Location(s):
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States ⋅ Minnesota, United States

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level

Field(s):
People & HR

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

This role is currently based at our Minneapolis office and will transition to our new headquarters in Dayton, MN, in 2027.  

The Benefits Analyst is responsible for administering and managing U.S. employee leave of absence and disability programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations. This role partners with employees, managers, HR, Payroll and third-party vendors.  This position also supports the design, administration, and evaluation of the company’s wellness program to promote employee health and wellbeing.  

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and brings a continuous improvement mindset. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about employee support, wellness, and operational excellence who enjoys improving processes and making a meaningful organization-wide impact.
 

What You Will Do at Graco

Leave of absence and disability

  • Administer and manage all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, state and local leaves, parental leave, military leave, and company specific- leave policies. 

  • Coordinate disability claims with third party administrator.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for employees, managers, and HR partners regarding leave and disability questions, providing timely guidance and support throughout the process.

  • Ensure accurate tracking, documentation, and reporting of all leave and disability cases.

  • Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations (FMLA, ADA, state leave laws, worker’s compensation, etc) and recommend policy updates as needed.

  • Partner with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accurate pay processing, benefits continuation, and system updates during leaves.

  • Support return-to-work and accommodation processes in collaboration with HR and management.

  • Provide administrative support for ADA accommodations, including coordinating the interactive process, tracking accommodation requests and documentation, communicating with employees, managers, and HR partners, and supporting timely implementation of approved accommodations.

  • Support the workers’ compensation process in partnership with the Safety Specialist, including claim tracking, FMLA alignment, coordination with HR and managers, return-to-work support, accurate time coding, and assistance with STD transitions and legal documentation as needed.

  • Develop, benchmark, and continuously improve policies, procedures, and practices related to leave and disability management.

  • Collect, analyze, and report on leave and disability data, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

  • Develop training materials and conduct education sessions for employees and managers on leave policies and procedures.

  • Stay current on industry trends, regulatory updates, and emerging best practices.

  • Lead the revision and ongoing maintenance of internal policies and procedures to support efficient operations and compliance.

Wellness

  • Support the administration of the company’s wellness program by promoting wellness offerings through clear, engaging, and consistent employee communications.

  • Coordinate wellness initiatives such as health challenges, educational sessions, screenings, vaccine clinics, and employee engagement activities.

  • Track participation, metrics, and program results and recommend enhancements.

  • Respond to escalated employee questions related to wellness benefits.

Perform other duties as assigned.


What You Will Bring to Graco

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources or related field.

  • 3+ years of experience administering leave of absence programs or other relevant experience.  

  • Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, multi-state leave laws, and disability regulations.

  • Experience working with HRIS / Payroll systems (Workday preferred) and third-party leave vendor platforms.

  • Ability to multi-task and strong organization skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

  • Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to explain complex policies clearly and compassionately.

  • Ability to build strong relationships and engage effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

  • Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.

  • Identify opportunities to improve processes, employee experience, and operational efficiency across leave and wellness programs.

  • Manage relationships with external vendors and third-party administrators.

  • Flexible, adaptable, collaborative, and solutions-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

  • Experience managing or supporting employee wellness programs preferred.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Accelerators 

•    Employee-Centered Approach: Provides empathetic, clear, and timely support to employees navigating leave and wellness programs.
•    Continuous Improvement Mindset: Proactively identifies opportunities to streamline processes, improve compliance, and enhance the employee experience.
•    Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Uses data and insights to identify trends, inform decisions, and improve program effectiveness.
•    Clear and Effective Communicator: Translates complex policies into simple, easy-to-understand guidance for employees and managers.
•    Collaborative Partner: Builds strong relationships across HR, Payroll, HRIS, leadership, and external vendors.
•    Regulatory & Wellness Savvy: Stays current on leave regulations and wellness best practices to drive compliant, engaging programs.

#LI-Hybrid

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT).

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.

$64,600.00 - $113,100.00